In biblical days, pouring oil on someone—known as an anointing—designated that person was set apart by God. This was common among prophets, priests and kings. It’s not surprising that Messiah, a title assigned to Jesus, means “Anointed One.” He is, after all, the ultimate prophet, priest and king.

The gospels tell the stories of three different women who demonstrate their worship by anointing the Anointed One. These women and their acts of devotion symbolize sacrificial love, gratitude and humility. They chose opulent adoration in the face of public scorn. 

Their acts of worship are timely, but their expressions of love are timeless. Did they fully understand the significance of their actions? We cannot know. But they didn’t care. They simply loved.

Let’s meet them.

A Sinful Woman

In biblical days, the proletariat would commonly gather around a room to observe meals in the homes of those above their class. But none of those commoners caused as much of a buzz as the sinful woman.

One of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him, and He went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that He was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind Him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment.—Luke 7:36-38 (ESV)

The shock! The horror! A woman, likely a prostitute, was touching Jesus, washing His feet with perfume she probably acquired through, and used in, her disreputable occupation. How was He not as appalled as His host? Simon the Pharisee muttered under his breath in outrage. Jesus took the bait and made it a teachable moment.

“Then turning toward the woman He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”—Luke 7:44-50 (ESV)

Simon was relying upon his own appearance of righteousness; the sinful woman knew she could only rely upon the righteousness of Christ. He thought he had it all and was desperate for nothing. But she was desperate for Jesus’ grace and forgiveness.

And for perhaps the first time in her life, a man defended her dignity. As a result of her brokenness and vulnerability, the woman was cleansed and made whole.

A Grateful Sister

Jesus made people whole. He also made some families whole again.

Many of us wish we could have had more time with those we’ve lost. That wish was realized for sisters Mary and Martha when Jesus restored His good friend and the women’s brother Lazarus back to life four days after his death. (See John 11.) 

The women responded in true form—Martha by serving, Mary by being at Jesus’ feet. It wasn’t the giver the crowd criticized. It was the gift.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for Him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with Him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.—John 12:1-3 (ESV)

Greedy Judas, who would soon betray Jesus, saw the gift as a waste. He just wanted the money for himself (John 12:6). As for Mary, all she saw was the One who had restored her brother to her family—the One who had demonstrated His power over death. No gift was too great.

A Scolded Servant

The final anointing happened at the home of another Simon, this one a leper, four days after the previous one in Bethany.

And while He was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over His head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than 300 denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.—Mark 14:3-5 (ESV)

Jesus didn’t lend His voice to the cacophony of criticism. On the contrary, He praised her. The poor would always be among them, He reminded them. Not so with Him. His time on earth was nearing its end, and the woman’s act—whether or not she understood its significance—prepared Him for His burial. He called her gift “a beautiful thing” (vs. 6). And He would be sure no one ever forgot it.

“And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”—Mark 14:9 (ESV)

What We Can Learn from Them

Each of these women gave extravagantly because they recognized Jesus loved them unconditionally, forgave them completely, and would be with them eternally.

They loved because He first loved them (1 John 4:19). 

They were unconcerned with public appearances. Jesus was worth the cost—socially and financially. Their gifts, each worth about a year’s wages, were nothing in light of the priceless gift Jesus gave them. 

The next time you feel as if you have to put your church face on and act as if you have it all together when you’re shattered inside, remember them. Humble yourself before the only One who truly sees and loves you. Pour yourself out before Him. Offer Him your hands, your feet, your treasures, your mind, your heart. And He will give you what only He can: forgiveness, wholeness, renewed purpose and life everlasting. 

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This is Part 23 in a series about biblical women—some named, some not, some honorable, some less so. But all have earned a place in scripture, and all have important lessons to teach us.