Who Anointed Jesus’ Feet?
Quick Summary
Who anointed Jesus' feet in the Bible? Multiple women anointed Jesus during his ministry, but the most well-known instance is in John 12:1–8, where Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. Other accounts appear in Matthew 26:6–13, Mark 14:3–9, and Luke 7:36–50, with differing details. While some conflate the women into one, careful reading suggests multiple events with distinct meanings. These anointings underscore themes of devotion, repentance, preparation for burial, and honor.
Introduction: Anointing as an Act of Devotion and Meaning
In ancient cultures, anointing was a powerful symbolic act. It could signify consecration, healing, hospitality, or honor. In the life of Jesus, several women performed the act of anointing his head or feet, each with profound emotional and theological significance.
But the question, "Who anointed Jesus' feet?" is not as simple as it sounds. Multiple Gospel accounts describe anointings of Jesus—some at his head, some at his feet, some by women named Mary, and some by unnamed women. Sorting through these stories gives us a clearer picture of the women involved, their motivations, and the meaning behind their acts.
Verse by Verse Breakdown and Commentary
Luke 7:36–50 — The Sinful Woman in Simon the Pharisee's House
Luke presents an early account of an unnamed woman, labeled a "sinner," who anoints Jesus' feet with perfume while he dines at a Pharisee's home. She weeps, washes his feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with ointment. Jesus contrasts her deep love with the host's lack of hospitality, saying, “Her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love” (Luke 7:47, NRSV).
This woman’s act is not only tender but scandalous. Her reputation, her weeping, and her physical nearness to Jesus all challenge the social norms of the time. Jesus welcomes the gesture, turning it into a teaching moment on forgiveness, love, and true righteousness.
Importantly, Luke places this account early in Jesus’ ministry, and the setting and details differ from the other Gospel accounts. This strongly suggests that this is a distinct event.
John 12:1–8 — Mary of Bethany Before the Crucifixion
In John's Gospel, six days before Passover, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus' feet at a dinner hosted in Bethany. She uses costly perfume made of pure nard and wipes his feet with her hair. Judas Iscariot criticizes the act as wasteful, but Jesus defends her, saying, “She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial" (John 12:7, NRSV).
Here, the act is one of extravagant devotion. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is presented as someone who deeply understands who Jesus is and what lies ahead. This anointing is explicitly connected to Jesus’ coming death and burial, a foreshadowing act rooted in love and spiritual insight.
Matthew 26:6–13 and Mark 14:3–9 — The Anointing in Bethany
Both Matthew and Mark recount a nearly identical event. Jesus is at the home of Simon the leper in Bethany, just days before his crucifixion. An unnamed woman anoints his head with very costly ointment. Some disciples object to the waste, but Jesus praises her, saying, "She has done a good service for me. ... By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial" (Matthew 26:10,12, NRSV).
Though these accounts describe the anointing of Jesus’ head (not feet), they are often compared with John’s version. Some scholars suggest the woman could also be Mary of Bethany, though the name is not provided. Others maintain that these are distinct traditions passed down in different communities.
The common themes across these accounts include costly devotion, preparation for Jesus’ death, and the rebuke of those who misunderstand or dismiss such acts of love.
Harmonizing the Accounts: One Woman or Many?
Over centuries, readers have debated whether these anointing stories refer to the same woman or multiple women. The Gospel writers do not identify the woman in Luke 7 as Mary, and the setting is very different. Luke describes an early incident in Galilee, while the others occur shortly before Jesus' crucifixion in Bethany.
Church tradition, especially in the West, often combined all these accounts into one and identified the woman as Mary Magdalene. But this conflation has no textual basis. Mary Magdalene is never explicitly connected to any of the anointing stories. Eastern Christian traditions, by contrast, tend to keep the women distinct.
The best reading of the texts suggests that at least two separate women anointed Jesus, possibly three:
The unnamed woman who was a sinner (Luke 7)
Mary of Bethany (John 12)
The unnamed woman in Simon the leper’s house (Matthew 26 and Mark 14)
Some scholars, such as Raymond Brown, note that these accounts likely come from different oral traditions that evolved independently. Their convergence around the theme of Jesus' death and the devotion of women followers remains compelling.
Who Anointed Jesus' Feet: Meaning for Today
The question of who anointed Jesus’ feet isn’t just about historical accuracy—it speaks to what we value. Each woman who anointed Jesus did something culturally shocking. They crossed boundaries of class, gender, and social expectations. And in return, Jesus did not scold them but praised them.
These stories elevate the role of women in the Gospel narrative. They show that it was not only male disciples who recognized Jesus’ mission. In fact, it is these women who most clearly see what lies ahead and respond with love.
And today, these stories still challenge us: Do we offer our devotion freely, without concern for how it appears? Do we understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow him to the cross? The women who anointed Jesus give us a model of fearless faith.
Works Consulted
Raymond E. Brown, The Death of the Messiah: From Gethsemane to the Grave (Vol. 1), Yale University Press, 1994, pp. 416–430.
Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of John: A Commentary, Vol. 2, Hendrickson Publishers, 2003.
FAQ
Was Mary Magdalene the woman who anointed Jesus' feet?
No. While church tradition sometimes conflated Mary Magdalene with the anointing woman in Luke 7, the Gospels do not support this. Mary Magdalene is a distinct figure, never identified with the anointing acts.
Why did the women anoint Jesus?
The reasons include acts of repentance, expressions of love, hospitality, and preparation for Jesus’ burial. Each Gospel emphasizes different motivations.
How much was the perfume worth?
The perfume used by Mary of Bethany was worth about 300 denarii—approximately a full year's wages for a laborer (John 12:5).
Did Jesus approve of the anointings?
Yes. In every account, Jesus affirms the woman’s action, interprets it positively, and contrasts it with others' misunderstanding or criticism.
