Reflection - The significance of Jesus’ anointing.
- John Scoble
- Apr 17
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 19
The passage below is at the beginning of the passion narrative in Mark’s gospel. It is suggested that you approach this reflection in three distinct steps to optimize the benefit of the reflection
Step 1 - Read and reflect
A reading from the Gospel of Mark 14:3-9
While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.’ And they scolded her.
But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’
Questions:
What is your reaction to this passage? Do you agree with the disciples who were angry?
What fundamental messages was Mark trying to convey to the persecuted Roman Christians to whom he was writing?
What does the passage tell you about Jesus’ attitude to the poor?
What is God saying to you through this passage?
Step 2 Read a scripture scholar’s commentary
A commentary by Fr Michael Fallon MSC.
The contrast between this and the previous scene is striking. While the authorities are plotting to kill Jesus, an unnamed woman performs an extravagant action of love. Pouring perfumed oil over Jesusʼ head is a gesture of welcome (Psalm 23:5), but also of priestly (Psalm 133:2; Exodus 30:22-33) and regal (Psalm 45:7; 1Samuel 9:16) consecration. The prophetic anointing received by Jesus at his baptism finds its fulfilment in the death for which he is now being prepared.
Jesus tells the bystanders to stop their angry outburst against her. There is more to what she has done than they realise. Though she does not know it, she is anointing his body for burial. She has also seen in Jesus the representative of the poor. Mark knows that measuring the needs of the poor in economic terms is not enough. True care for the poor will be expressed only if the focus is on the person of the poor, and, for Jesusʼ disciples, this will be enlightened only when they look at the poor in the light of Jesus himself, the Poor One in their midst.
The womanʼs adoring love for Jesus is precisely the stimulus for pouring oneʼs life out for the poor. The proclaiming of the good news in the whole world will ensure that what she has done for Jesus will be done everywhere for the poor with whom he identifies. In the light of the circumstances of Jesusʼ death and hasty burial, Mark sees this event as indicating a special providence of God, caring for his beloved son, even to the details of ensuring that he receives the proper ritual of anointing.
It might appear that Jesus is simply the victim of the plotting of his oppressors, but, as this scene indicates, God is present to him, caring for him. Jesus is about to face the final trial as the forces of evil gather to destroy him, but, as Mark tells us in his prologue, God is caring for his Son struggling in the wilderness. This woman, in her love, is an example of the ʻangels [who] waited on himʼ throughout his trials (1:13).
Step 3 With this added perspective, revisit the reflection questions
Questions:
What is your reaction to this passage? Do you agree with the disciples who were angry?
What fundamental messages was Mark trying to convey to the persecuted Roman Christians to whom he was writing?
What does the passage tell you about Jesus’ attitude to the poor?
What is God saying to you through this passage?
Has your perspective been altered by the commentary?
Note: all of Michael Fallon’s commentaries are available at http://mbfallon.com/
FAQs: Reflection - The Significance of Jesus’ Anointing
Why did the woman anoint Jesus with costly ointment, and what does it signify?
The woman’s act in Mark 14:3-9 is not just generosity - it is prophetic and sacrificial. She pours out something precious ahead of Jesus’ death, which foreshadows his burial. Scholars note that in Jewish tradition anointing also points to kingship and priesthood (Psalm 23:5; Psalm 45:7) (Source: Fr Michael Fallon commentary; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective). Her act says that love, worship, and foresight have spiritual power even when others fear waste.
What message was Mark giving to persecuted Christians through this story?
Mark wrote for Christians living under pressure. The story of the anointing shows that even when followers are watched, judged, or oppressed, God is present and cares. The woman’s faith is commended, not the critics’ reasoning. This gives persecuted believers an image of faith that values courage and love over calculations. (Source: Mark’s Gospel context; Fr Michael Fallon; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective)
How does the anointing story reshape how we think about service and sacrifice?
Many people measure service by efficiency or utility. In this scene the woman’s act is not practical by economic standard - others say the ointment could have been sold. But Jesus affirms her sacrifice as “good service” because it comes from the heart. That suggests sacrifice is less about measure than meaning. Christian thinkers highlight that meaningful service often costs more than what is visible but impacts more deeply. (Source: Gospel commentary; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective)
What does this passage teach about Jesus’ relationship with the poor?
The woman’s act is set against conversation about giving to the poor. While good works toward the poor are always commendable, Jesus points out something greater: the moment of intimate faith and recognition of who he is. He affirms that while the poor are always with us, recognizing Jesus in someone’s act of love has spiritual import. (Source: Mark 14; Fallon commentary; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective)
How can I make this story part of my spiritual reflection or practice today?
You might begin by reading the passage slowly, imagining the setting, the tension, the cost. Journal your own response: what would you have done, what means more to you in life - the value or the love behind it. Consider small acts of worship or love that feel “costly” in your context, not financially but in vulnerability or time. Studies of spiritual formation show that reflection plus action is what shifts character (Source: studies in spiritual formation; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective).
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About the Author - John Scoble
John's journey began in the heart of a traditional Roman Catholic family in Sydney, where he was raised with steadfast faith and reverence. Now residing in the serene surroundings of St Lucia, Brisbane, alongside his beloved wife, John finds solace and inspiration in the tranquil rhythms of life. With four adult children and a cherished grandchild also calling Brisbane home, John's family is his anchor, providing love, support, and a sense of belonging.
While spirituality has always been a cornerstone of his life, it was three transformative events in 2012, including a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, that ignited a profound shift in John's spiritual trajectory. Embracing retirement as an opportunity for deeper exploration, John immersed himself in extensive reading and soulful reflection.
Over the course of a decade, this journey of self-discovery has led John to reevaluate and transcend many of his traditional beliefs, embracing instead the timeless wisdom and cosmic perspective inherent in Christianity. Influenced by luminaries such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, and Richard Rohr, John's spiritual evolution has been marked by a deepening resonance with the essential truths of his faith and a profound connection to the divine unfolding within and around him.
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