The Anointing By Mary Magdalene
1. AND one (of the Pharisees) desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house and sat down to eat.
2. And behold a certain woman of Magdala (who was reputed to be a sinner) was in the city, and when she knew that Iesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an Alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him, weeping, and washed His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs (of her head) and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment.
3. Now when the Pharisee (which had bidden him) saw it, he thought within himself, saying,
This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
4. And Iesus answering said unto him,
Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.
And he saith,
Master, say on.
5. There was a certain creditor (which had two debtors): the one owed five hundred pence and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most.
6. Simon answered and said,
I suppose that he to whom he forgave most.
And he said unto him,
Thou hast rightly judged.
7. And he said unto Simon,
Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she hath washed my feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
8. Wherefore I say unto thee, man but also beast and birds (of the air) yea, even the fishes (of the sea); but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Her sins (which are many) are forgiven, for she loved much, not only man but also beast and birds (of the air) yea, even the fishes (of the sea); but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
9. And he said unto her,
Thy sins are forgiven,
and they who sat at the table began to say within themselves,
who is this that forgiveth sins also?
10. Though he had said not,
I forgive thee, but Thy sins are forgiven thee, for he discerned true faith and penitence in her heart. And Iesus needed not that any should testify of any man, for he himself knew what was in man.
LECTION 11. 1-2.-There are two anointings by Mary Magdalene recorded. The first was to his prophetical ministry, the last preparatory to his self-oblation unto death on the cross in the upper room, and his subsequent murder by the Roman authorities and the Iewish priests.