Ointment Sold and Given to the Poor? - Matthew 26:9

Matthew the apostle wrote how a woman came to Jesus, “having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, to what purpose is this waste?”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse nine of his book, Matthew writes how the disciples said, “this ointment might have been sold” where we read:

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

The verse reads, “For this ointment might have been sold for much, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “this ointment” or “the perfume the woman poured upon Jesus' head” “might have been sold” which means “could have been bartered and disposed” “for much” or “for a lot of money”. Matthew shared how Jesus' “disciples” determined there was great value in the perfume that could have been “sold” for a large amount of money.

The verse goes on to say, “... and given to the poor.” Matthew continued with the words, “and given” which means “and granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied” “to the poor” or “to people who are reduced to beggary, begging and asking alms who are destitute of wealth, influence, position and honor”. Matthew shared how the disciples determined that the “perfume” could have been sold and the proceeds distributed to people who were “disadvantaged and destitute”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the usual idea of what to do with “valuable” things is different for those who do not understand worship of Jesus. The woman with the alabaster box poured out her offering upon Jesus' head, but the disciples thought this valuable item should have been “sold” and “given to the poor”. God desires people to be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they give their all to Him in worship regardless of what others say, they have used their resources in the best way they ever could.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus asked His disciples, “Why trouble you the woman?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.