How great the contrast between the plotting in the court of Caiaphas and the love-ministry of Bethany! Yet even there, a strain of needless sorrow was added to the cup of our Lord. While His foes were plotting His destruction, it became necessary for Him to speak on behalf of the devoted woman who was suffering criticism for His Name. It is probable that, of all people then living, Mary was the only one who had really entered into the meaning of the Lord's words and had realized the scenes of suffering that lay before Him. Through the succeeding hours the aroma of that ointment, lingering still on His person, must have sweetly reminded Jesus how dearly He was loved.
Mary is not named in this Gospel, perhaps because it was written during her lifetime and such a reference might have exposed her to suffering. But in the fourth Gospel she is named, because by that time the whole family had gone into the presence of Him whom they so devotedly loved. Do not be deterred by utilitarian calculations from the spontaneous expression of love to Jesus. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 26
1Jesus foretells his own death 3The rulers conspire against him 6The woman anoints his feet 14Judas bargains to betray him 17Jesus eats the Passover; 26institutes his holy supper; 30foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial; 36prays in the garden; 47and being betrayed by a kiss, 57is carried to Caiaphas, 69and denied by Peter
What do the individual words in Matthew 26:9 mean?
Couldforthishave been soldfor muchandhave been givento [the] poor
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δύναμαι
Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.