The biblical account of a woman anointing Jesus with an alabaster box of precious perfume is found in all four Gospels. Yet the meaning behind this symbolic and extravagant act is often overlooked.
What was the significance of alabaster in ancient times? And what deeper meaning does the breaking of the box convey about Christ’s death and resurrection?
The Significance of Alabaster in Biblical Times
Alabaster is a fine-grained variety of gypsum that in ancient times was valued for its soft, delicate beauty and soft white color. It was rare and expensive due to the limited number of quarries where true alabaster could be obtained.
Alabaster often came from Egypt, with some of the most prized deposits found near Thebes. Craftsmen carved alabaster into bowls, vases, perfume containers and effigies. When polished, the stone became translucent, allowing light to pass through and accentuate its milky hue.
Because of its rarity and delicate beauty, alabaster was associated with royalty and divinity. Kings and nobles had alabaster carved into containers to store precious oils and perfumes reserved only for noble or religious ceremonies.
Alabaster Boxes as Symbols of Utmost Devotion
In biblical times, an alabaster box filled with expensive perfumes and oils would have been enormously precious. The sheer value of its contents represented a sacrificial measure of devotion to offer it all up at once.
To anoint someone by breaking this box meant to honor them in a ceremony reflecting utmost devotion. So for Mary to break her box of pure nard over Jesus displayed her recognition of his supreme worth.
The Bible Story of Mary’s Alabaster Box
The account of Mary (presumed to be Mary Magdalene) anointing Jesus with perfume from an alabaster vase is found in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50 and John 12:1-8.
In the Luke narrative, Jesus attends a dinner at the house of Simon the Pharisee. A notoriously sinful woman suddenly crashes the gathering, weeping behind Jesus. Kneeling, she uses her long hair to wipe his dusty feet while crying over them. She then breaks open her alabaster flask filled with rare ointment and begin pouring it lavishly over his feet, deeply moving Jesus through this intimate act.
Why the Alabaster Box is Specifically Mentioned
The Gospel authors all specifically mention Mary’s perfume container being carved from alabaster rather than standard pottery or glass. As we’ve seen, this designation spotlights the tremendous value of what she sacrificed that day.
Mark and John state that pure oil of spikenard worth over 300 denarii filled the shattered vessel. A single denarii represented an average laborer’s daily wage. So she poured out almost an entire year’s wages all at once when she broke her box!
Stunning Brazenness to Honor Jesus
Indeed, to understand the lavish intimacy and perceived wastefulness of Mary’s display, it’s crucial to grasp who Jesus represented to her. She alone recognized him as Messiah – literally, the embodiment of the divine God in flesh.
The demanding selflessness of her stunning act honored Christ as a king on the eve of his agonizing sacrifice. Though some at dinner took offense over her brazenness, Jesus rebuked them. Her lavish gift springing from adoration matched his inestimable worth.
Interpreting the Deeper Meaning Behind the Box
Looking closer, Mary’s extravagant gift foreshadows several profound aspects of Jesus’ coming death by crucifixion and miraculous resurrection.
Predicting His Impending Death
In referencing the shattered alabaster, Jesus tells his disciples Mary “has anointed my body beforehand for burial”. So in his words, her ceremonial act directly paralleled his upcoming death just ahead.
And just as she poured out imported perfume so freely over his feet, Jesus would soon pour out his own sacred blood fully on behalf of humanity’s sin. Through her loving display, Mary gained insight into the scandalously extravagant grace Christ offered all.
Hinting Towards His Coming Resurrection
Within days, Jesus’ bruised and bloody body would be utterly crushed upon the cross. But though the stone alabaster box was shattered beyond repair, the released perfume’s lingering aroma filled every corner of the house.
In this there seems a hint that while Christ’s earthly body would be brutally destroyed in death, the lingering sweet fragrance of his spirit would overcome the stench of the tomb. The aroma of sacrificial love displayed through brokenness would continue reaching hearts worldwide.
Embodying the Redemption Through Death
Finally, the shattered alabaster box itself embodies the spiritual paradox where redemption springs from utter sacrifice. In being broken beyond hope of repair, the vessel released hidden treasure stored up to abundantly bless all around it.
This perfectly represents Christ’s sacred words that “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Just as the box was cracked to fill the house, Jesus’ brutal death redeemed all humanity.
Mary’s Act Foreshadows Jesus’ Words and Deeds
Looking at both Mary’s brazen display and Jesus’ words and deeds from the Last Supper to Calvary, we see stunning parallels:
The Last Supper Echoes Her Lavish Gift
At Christ’s final Passover meal with his disciples, he again echoes Mary’s absurd generosity by offering not just a sip but a full cup of wine representing his blood “poured out for many.” Just as she cracked her alabaster box, Jesus knew he must pour himself out fully unto death.
Gethsemane Rebels Against Senseless Waste
In the garden of Gethsemane later that night Jesus begged God that if possible, let the bloody cup of sacrifice pass from him. This mirrors what those at dinner thought of Mary’s foolish wastefulness. How could such extravagant, reckless pouring out be justified?
Yet ultimately Jesus submitted to the Father’s will that only his body broken and blood spilled could ransom the sins of the world. Mary’s lavish deed foreshadowed Jesus’ struggle in Gethsemane to embrace utter selflessness.
Finally, at the hill of Golgotha Jesus’ innocent blood was brutally poured out unto death, just as Mary’s perfume soaked the dusty feet of her Lord. For love of the world Christ offered his crushed body as a sacrifice of peace.
And three days later, the aroma of resurrection permeated Christ’s empty tomb! The perfume of God’s love had overcome the stench of sin and death forever. Truly beauty and treasure emerged from ashes once again.
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