• Matthew 26:7
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 7 προσῆλθεν came toward αὐτῷ to him γυνὴ woman ἔχουσα having ἀλάβαστρον alabaster case μύρου of perfumed oil βαρυτίμου costly καὶ and κατέχεεν was pouring ἐπὶ upon τῆς the κεφαλῆς head αὐτοῦ of him ἀνακειμένου. lying up.

  • Matthew Study Notes—Chapter 26
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 26:7

      a woman: According to Joh 12:3, this woman is Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.

      alabaster jar: See Glossary, “Alabaster.”

      costly perfumed oil: Mark and John’s accounts specify that it was a pound of “genuine nard,” worth 300 denarii. That sum represented about a year’s wages for an ordinary laborer. (Mr 14:3-5; Joh 12:3-5) The source of such perfumed oil is generally thought to be an aromatic plant (Nardostachys jatamansi) found in the Himalayas. Nard was often adulterated, even counterfeited, but both Mark and John say that this oil was “genuine.”

      pouring it on his head: According to Matthew and Mark, the woman poured the oil on Jesus’ head. (Mr 14:3) John, who wrote years later, supplied the added detail that she also poured it on his feet. (Joh 12:3) Jesus explains that this loving act was figuratively to prepare him for burial.​—See study note on Mt 26:12.