“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
Jesus immediately takes the part of Mary. He would not allow any criticism for what she had done.
Anointing was usually a mark of festivity and its omission was an affront to a guest (Luke 7:46). When the Pharisees would fast, they would not anoint their heads so others would know they were fasting (Matt 6:16-17), so anointing was associated with festivity and not funerals. Therefore, when Jesus said that she should save this perfume for His burial, His statement must have come quite unexpectedly. Morris sees this as indicating how much the coming Passion was on the mind of Jesus.
Luke 7:46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
Matthew 6:16-17 “When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
“for the day of my burial” = Mary had kept this precious ointment for the burial of Christ and now the right time has come. Robertson says that “She is giving him the flowers before the funeral.” (RWP) He goes on to observe that “It is a paradox, but Jesus is fond of paradoxes. Mary has kept this precious gift by giving it now beforehand as a preparation for ‘my burial.’ We really keep what we give to Christ.” (RWP)
She would have been in a position to know how strong the opposition to Jesus was and how much danger He was in and she may have been told, as were the disciples, of the impending death of Christ (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:17-19, 26:1-2), but it is still to her credit that she knew His mind so much more than the others and she knew that His end was not far off.
Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Matthew 17:22-23 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
Matthew 20:17-19 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
Matthew 26:1-2 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
The anointing probably existed on 2 levels. As Aaron was anointed into the priesthood (Ex 30:30, Psalms 133:2), the true High-Priest was here anointed into His impending sacrifice. “She who had so often sat at His feet, now anoints them, and alike for love, reverence, and fellowship of His sufferings, will not wipe them but with her hair.” (Edersheim) On the one hand, the anointing is an act of love and devotion by Mary; on the other hand, it is the official setting apart by God the Father of His Son to accomplish the purpose of His coming.
Exodus 30:30 “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.
Psalms 133:2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
“It is ever the light which throws the shadows of objects-and this deed of faith and love now cast the features of Judas in gigantic dark outlines against the scene.” (Edersheim) “Mary in her devotion unconsciously provides for the honour of the dead. Judas in his selfishness unconsciously brings about the death itself” (Westcott).
“There is something inexpressibly sad, yet so patient, gentle, and tender in Christ’s ‘Let her alone.’ Surely, never could there be waste in ministry of love to Him!” (Edersheim)
What is the difference between good works and worship or between service and love? Is it possible to become so involved in the former that we neglect the latter? Service is to come from love, never to replace it. Always do what you do because you love Jesus, not because you think you have to do it.