Passion Week Wednesday – Murderous Hatred, Costly Love, and Bitter Betrayal
The woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a well-known story to believers (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). However, the context in Matthew and Mark’s accounts of this story is often overlooked. Before this woman anoints Jesus, Matthew and Mark record the chief priests and elders plotting to kill Jesus; after she anoints Jesus, they record Judas agreeing to betray Him. Matthew and Mark don’t name the woman who does this, but we know she is Mary of Bethany through John’s account. Another fact often overlooked is that Mary anointed Jesus 6 days before the Passover, according to John 12:1-3. In Mark 14:3, we know that the Jewish leaders plotted to kill Jesus 2 days before the Passover. Why is this story placed between these two accounts of hostility toward Jesus in Matthew and Mark’s gospels? We will study this entire passage to greater appreciate God’s sovereign orchestration of events leading to Calvary.
Right after Jesus finishes the Olivet Discourse about his second coming (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13), Matthew and Mark record the Jewish leaders gathering together to kill Jesus (Matthew 26:3-5; Mark 14:1-2). Jesus clearing the temple on Monday and answering all of their trick questions on Tuesday have increased their desire to put him to death. Although their murderous intentions were coming to a boil, they still planned to restrain those desires until after the Passover festivities were over: “But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”” (Matthew 26:5). This is important to take note of and will be explored later.
The scene shifts from the den of the Jewish leaders to the home of a leper, Simon, presumably someone whom Jesus healed. A woman approaches Jesus “with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume” (Matthew 26:7). Again, John’s account identifies the woman who anoints Jesus as Mary. The perfume is estimated to be over 300 denarii (Mark 14:5). This would be about a year’s worth of wages. This is not a cheap purchase. She proceeds to anoint Jesus with this costly perfume. In stark contrast with the bitter hatred of the Pharisees, there is this sweet, sacrificial love expressed by Mary.
The disciples respond indignantly saying, “Why this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor” (Matthew 26:9). Jesus corrects their understanding by explaining they will always have to the poor to show compassion, but he will only be with them a little longer. In his response, he reveals something about this act, “For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.” (Matthew 26:12). Mary most likely did not know beforehand this act would point forward to Jesus’ death. She simply desired to express her love to Jesus in a costly way. This will be an important fact to consider soon.
The scene shifts again to Judas and his plot to betray the one whom he supposedly loves (Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11). He comes to the chief priests and asks how much they are willing to give him to betray Jesus. Considering Jesus is the Messiah, God very God, the King of kings, Lord of lords, you would expect this sum to be an innumerable amount. Shockingly, the chief priests reveal their evaluation of Jesus by offering only 30 silver pieces, the cost of a common slave. Adding to this atrocious undervaluing of God’s own son, Judas accepts the amount. He doesn’t bargain. He doesn’t wager. He assesses Jesus’ value at the price of a common slave. The text then says this, “From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus” (Matthew 26:16). Take note that Judas now is independently planning how to betray Jesus.
What is the common thread throughout these 3 accounts? The Jewish leaders have their plans to kill Jesus, Mary plans to show her love to Jesus, and Judas plans to betray Jesus. All three parties seem to be acting independently. However, all three accounts have this in common, God is orchestrating these people to prepare for Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. All three accounts show people with their plans and desires, but God is using the chief priests and Judas to bring about Jesus’ death and is using Mary to prepare for that death. Despite events looking like they will get out of hand, God is firmly in control. Along with this fact, Jesus knows where he is going, to the cross. In fact, before all three accounts, in Matthew 26:2, He says this, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.” Jesus knew that his death was coming. He knew that it was necessary to “...save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).
As Good Friday approaches, let us meditate on the reality that Jesus had to die. If he didn’t, there would be no hope for any of us to stand before a perfectly holy God. However, Jesus, knowing this, willingly went to the cross. This was always part of the plan, and because it took place according to plan, there is hope for you and me. What Jesus accomplished will be explored more as the week goes on, but consider this story. Consider how God sovereignly orchestrated these events. Also consider this – what is Jesus worth to you?
