Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:7

What does Matthew 26:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:7 means

A woman brings an alabaster jar of very costly ointment and pours it on Jesus’ head while he reclines at table. The use of alabaster and the description 'exceeding precious' highlight the woman’s sacrificial devotion—this is not ordinary perfume but a luxury gift. Pouring it on Jesus’ head as he sits at a meal is an intimate act of honor and worship, costly and public. Her action communicates reverence, recognition of Jesus’ significance, and personal devotion, preparing the way for Jesus’ later interpretation relating to burial.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

there came unto him a woman having an alabaster cruse of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat at meat.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

There came to him a woman having a bottle of perfume of great price, and she put the perfume on his head when he was seated at table.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

there came to him a woman having an alabaster box of ointment, very precious, and she poured on his head as he is reclining (at meat).

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of precious ointment and poured it on his head as he was at table.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

a woman, having an alabaster flask of very precious ointment, came to him and poured it out upon his head as he lay at table.

Context

This dramatic act occurs after the leaders’ plotting and contrasts human betrayal with faithful devotion. The story of the woman’s anointing introduces theological themes—honor, sacrifice, and preparation for burial—that the chapter will develop. It also sets up tension with the disciples’ reaction in the next verses, revealing misunderstandings about value, priorities, and the meaning of Jesus’ mission among his followers.

v.6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

v.7This passage

v.8But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 30:23

    Take thou also unto thee the chief spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty,

  • Ecclesiastes 9:8

    Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil.

  • Luke 7:37

    And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,

  • Ecclesiastes 10:1

    Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

  • Song of Solomon 1:3

    Thine oils have a goodly fragrance; Thy name is as oil poured forth; Therefore do the virgins love thee.

  • Luke 7:46

    My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment.

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