Reading the Gospels Together Anointed by a Woman – Part 1 All four gospel writers tell a story of Jesus being anointed by a woman. They do not share the same timeframe regarding when this anointing happened. In this section we will need to consider Mark 14:3-9; Matthew 26:6-13; Luke 7:36-50; and John 12:1-8. Mark begins his passion narrative by telling his readers that Passover will arrive in two days. He also informs them that the religious leaders are searching for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him – though they are wary of making a move during the feast. A bit later, Mark tells his readers of Judas’ decision to betray Jesus which is really a continuation of what we have just read about the religious leaders. And in the middle of this sinister plot of the Jewish religious leaders and Judas’ decision to betray Jesus Mark tells his story of an unnamed woman who anoints Jesus with costly ointment. Mark tells his readers that the setting for this story is at Bethany, the city at the summit of the Mount of Olives which is identified as the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in John. The anointing takes place in the home of a leper named Simon. The actions of the woman are questioned by those who were there – Mark does not identify who they were. The protest of those present is that the costly ointment was wasted on Jesus and could have been sold so that money might be given to the poor. Jesus, in turn, praises the woman for her kindness since she has now anointed Jesus for burial – a rather strange thing to welcome. This is another of Mark’s messages to his readers that Jesus knew his death was near – the issue we just looked at in the previous section. And Jesus remarks that this woman will be remembered forever where the good news is proclaimed. Mark does not say what that good news is but Mark’s readers likely can figure out that it is the good news of the resurrection. The actions of the woman are a foreshadowing of what is to come. And the actions of the woman stand in stark contrast with that of the religious leaders and of Judas – the episode Mark has told to surrounded this story. Mark’s skill as a writer is amazingly on display! Matthew follows Mark quite closely although he does provide a few interesting twists to the story. Mark had simply told his readers that it was now two days before Passover. Matthew puts those words into the mouth of Jesus. Mark had mentioned the religious leaders without mentioning any names. Matthew names Caiaphas is the chief instigator. Mark had left unspecified the people who criticize the woman for wasting the ointment. Matthew says it was the disciples who complained. Mark gives less details regarding Judas’ betrayal. Matthew points out that the religious leaders paid Judas thirty pieces of silver. All of these are very minor details and likely only serve for Matthew as small ways of clarifying what Mark had written. And in the end Matthew has told essentially the same story told by Mark.