Matthew 26:13

What does Matthew 26:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:13 means

Jesus promises that wherever the gospel is preached, the woman’s deed will be remembered. He elevates her action into a lasting memorial tied to the proclamation of the good news. This suggests that genuine worshipful acts around Jesus carry perpetual significance in the Christian witness. The verse indicates that her devotion will be recounted wherever Christ is proclaimed, turning a private act into a public testimony about recognizing and honoring Jesus’ mission and sacrifice.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Truly I say to you, Wherever this good news goes out in all the world, what this woman has done will be talked of in memory of her.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Verily I say to you, Wherever this good news may be proclaimed in the whole world, what this <FI>one<Fi> did shall also be spoken of--for a memorial of her.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done shall be told for a memory of her.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Verily I say to you, Wheresoever these glad tidings may be preached in the whole world, that also which this [woman] has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Context

This assurance follows Jesus’ interpretation of the anointing and functions as a closing commendation. It links the personal scene in Bethany to the global mission of the gospel. The reader should note that Matthew uses this to underscore how acts of faith become part of the church’s remembrance and proclamation, foreshadowing the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem.

v.12For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

v.13This passage

v.14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 14:6

    And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people;

  • Colossians 1:23

    if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.

  • Luke 24:47

    and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

  • Psalms 112:6

    For he shall never be moved; The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.

  • Matthew 28:19

    Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:

  • 1 Timothy 2:6

    who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times;

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 26

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 26.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 26:13.