Jesus's Teachings on the Anointing and Foot Washing Ordinances

Jesus's teaching concerning the woman who anointed Him with expensive perfume was one of profound commendation and lasting promise, declaring that her sacrificial act was a good work done in preparation for His burial, which would be eternally memorialized Matthew 26:10-1312LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 28+1.

This beautiful act of devotion, performed by Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, took place in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, six days before the Passover Matthew 26:6+1LTJMB4 314.2+1.

💖 Jesus Defends Her Loving Service

Mary approached Jesus as He sat at meat and broke an alabaster box of very precious ointment of spikenard, pouring the costly contents over His head and feet John 12:3+1HLv 372.3. The alabaster box of ointment was so costly that its value was more than three hundred pence, an amount equivalent to a laborer's wages for nearly a year Mark 14:5ETI Alabaster.2+1.

• Rebuking the Critics The anointing was met with indignation and murmuring from some of the disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, who called the act a "waste" and suggested the money should have been given to the poor Mark 14:4-5+1RH August 7, 1900, par. 3+1. Judas criticized the expenditure not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and wished to appropriate the funds for his own selfish use John 12:6DA 559.2+1.

• A Good Work Jesus immediately stepped in to protect and commend Mary, asking, "Why trouble ye the woman? for she has worked a good work on me" Matthew 26:1012LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 28+1. Acts of love and reverence for Jesus are regarded as evidence of faith in Him as the Son of GodDA 564.4+1.

📜 Significance of the Anointing

Jesus explained that Mary's action, which was done in deep love, faith, and sorrow, had a unique and timely significanceLTJMB4 314.2+1.

• Preparation for Burial The most crucial teaching Jesus gave was that Mary had performed this act in anticipation of His death and burial, stating clearly, "For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial" Matthew 26:1212LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 28+1. Mary was far quicker than the disciples to understand that the end was terribly near, even as she honored Him as the best Guest at the feastLTJMB4 314.2.

• The Poor are Always Present Jesus contrasted the immediate spiritual need with ongoing temporal needs, explaining, "For ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always" Matthew 26:1112LtMs, Ms 28, 1897, par. 28+1.

• A Perpetual Memorial As a promise and a blessing, Jesus ensured that Mary's selfless love would never be forgotten, declaring, "Truly I say to you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her" Matthew 26:13+1KJV — Matthew 26:12.

In another instance where a woman who was a sinner anointed Jesus's feet, washing them with her tears and wiping them with her hair, Jesus pronounced her saved, attributing her salvation not to her emotional display but solely to her belief, saying, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" Luke 7:38+1ARSH February 5, 1861, page 93.17. This demonstrated that acts of devotion are fruits of faith and forgivenessPTUK October 20, 1892, page 322.12.

That is an excellent question, as the Bible records two distinct events where Jesus was anointed, and they are often confused! 🧐

No, the woman who anointed Jesus’s feet, washing them with tears and wiping them with her hair (recorded in Luke 7:36-50), was not Mary, the sister of Lazarus.

These were two separate events involving two different women:

1. The Anointing by the Penitent Sinner Luke 7

This incident took place earlier in Jesus's ministry, in Galilee, at the house of Simon the Pharisee. The woman is identified simply as "a woman in the city, which was a sinner" Luke 7:37.

• Identity and Context: She was a public sinner who came to Jesus in deep sorrow and penitence. Her act was driven by gratitude for forgiveness already experienced or anticipated.
• Jesus’s Teaching: Jesus used this event to teach Simon the Pharisee a parable about forgiveness, stating that those who have been forgiven much love much, concluding, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little" Luke 7:47DA 508.4 (RH November 13, 1900, par. 17). Her faith, rather than her emotional display, secured her peace Luke 7:50.

2. The Anointing by Mary of Bethany Matthew 26+2

This incident, detailed in the previous response, occurred near the close of Jesus's ministry, in Bethany, at the house of Simon the Leper.

• Identity and Context: This woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and a known disciple of Christ. Her act was driven by deep, sacrificial devotion and a special understanding that Jesus was about to die.
• Jesus’s Teaching: Jesus identified this as a prophetic act—a specific preparation for His burial—and guaranteed that her deed would be preached throughout the world as a memorial of her love Matthew 26:12-13.

Ellen White clarifies that confusing these two events, which occurred at two different times and places with two different Simons as hosts, is an errorDA 508.1+1:

"The feast at which Mary anointed the feet of Jesus was given by Simon of Bethany. This Simon, at whose house the feast was made, is not to be confounded with Simon the Pharisee, at whose house the penitent woman of the city anointed the feet of the Saviour, as recorded in Luke 7. The occasion was different, and the circumstances were different."— DA 508.1 (1898)

Matthew 26

1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,

2 You know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, to the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.

5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

7 There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

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

10 When Jesus understood it, he said to them, Why trouble you the woman? for she has worked a good work on me.

11 For you have the poor always with you; but me you have not always.

12 For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

13 Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her.

14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,

15 And said to them, What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, Where will you that we prepare for you to eat the passover?

18 And he says, Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, The Master said, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.

19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

21 And as they did eat, he said, Truly I say to you, that one of you shall betray me.

22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say to him, Lord, is it I?

23 And he answered and said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

24 The Son of man goes as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said to him, You have said.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink you all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 But I say to you, I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

31 Then says Jesus to them, All you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33 Peter answered and said to him, Though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended.

34 Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, That this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice.

35 Peter said to him, Though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.

36 Then comes Jesus with them to a place called Gethsemane, and says to the disciples, Sit you here, while I go and pray yonder.

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then says he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry you here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.

40 And he comes to the disciples, and finds them asleep, and says to Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, your will be done.

43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then comes he to his disciples, and says to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that does betray me.

47 And while he yet spoke, see, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

49 And immediately he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

50 And Jesus said to him, Friend, why are you come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

52 Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are you come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laid no hold on me.

56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58 But Peter followed him afar off to the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60 But found none: yes, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

62 And the high priest arose, and said to him, Answer you nothing? what is it which these witness against you?

63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God.

64 Jesus says to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.

66 What think you? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

68 Saying, Prophesy to us, you Christ, Who is he that smote you?

69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee.

70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what you say.

71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said to them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

73 And after a while came to him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely you also are one of them; for your speech denudes you.

74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said to him, Before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

John 13

1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4 He rises from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5 After that he pours water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.

6 Then comes he to Simon Peter: and Peter says to him, Lord, do you wash my feet?

7 Jesus answered and said to him, What I do you know not now; but you shall know hereafter.

8 Peter says to him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash you not, you have no part with me.

9 Simon Peter says to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10 Jesus says to him, He that is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and you are clean, but not all.

11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean.

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said to them, Know you what I have done to you?

13 You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

16 Truly, truly, I say to you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17 If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.

18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.

19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, you may believe that I am he.

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, He that receives whomsoever I send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me.

21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you shall betray me.

22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spoke.

23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spoke.

25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast says to him, Lord, who is it?

26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus to him, That you do, do quickly.

28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spoke this to him.

29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said to him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me: and as I said to the Jews, Where I go, you cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.

36 Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where go you? Jesus answered him, Where I go, you can not follow me now; but you shall follow me afterwards.

37 Peter said to him, Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.

38 Jesus answered him, Will you lay down your life for my sake? Truly, truly, I say to you, The cock shall not crow, till you have denied me thrice.

That is a wonderful question about the sequence of events during that profound last evening Jesus spent with His disciples. Yes, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples at the time of the Passover feast, and this act was immediately preparatory to the institution of the Lord's Supper (breaking bread) 🍞.

Here is a detailed explanation of the timing and significance of the ordinance of humility:

The Setting: The Passover Feast

The foot washing occurred during the Passover meal, which Jesus had greatly desired to eat with them before He suffered Luke 22:155Red 4.2. This meal took place in a large upper room that the disciples had prepared for them Mark 14:15+2.

The event of the foot washing (recorded in John 13 took place while they were still at supper, or near the beginning of the meal, not after the entire supper was completely finishedSITI November 15, 1883, page 511.13.

• Replacing the Old Festival: As Jesus ate this final Passover with His disciples, He was concluding the ancient sacrifices that had prefigured Him for centuries, instituting two new ordinances—the ceremony of feet washing and the sacramental supper—to be observed through all time as a memorial service5BC 1139.1+1.

• Contention Among Disciples: The context for the Lord's service was highly sensitive: the disciples had just been engaged in a heated contention over which of them should be accounted the greatest in the coming kingdom Luke 22:24RH June 21, 1898, Art. A, par. 12+1. None of them had been humble enough to perform the common courtesy of washing the dust from their own or others' feet, as they were reclining at the tableHLv 439.4+2.

• The Example of Service: To correct their pride and competitive spirit, Jesus, the Master and Lord, rose from the table, laid aside His garments, and performed the office of a servant by washing their feet John 13:412LtMs, Ms 43, 1897, par. 24+1. He performed this service even for Judas, the betrayer, making a final tender appeal to him12LtMs, Ms 120, 1897, par. 9+1.

Connection to the Lord's Supper

The ordinance of feet washing and the sacramental supper are consecrated religious services that were instituted together by ChristCCh 300.1+2. Feet washing was instituted just prior to the Lord's SupperRH November 4, 1902, par. 4.

The foot washing serves as necessary spiritual preparation for the communion service:

• Lesson of Humility: Jesus stated clearly after washing their feet, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" John 13:14, 151SP 201.2. This act provides an example of humble, faithful ministry that we are called to emulateCCh 300.1+1.

• Self-Examination and Reconciliation: This ordinance is meant to be a season of solemn self-examination, increasing feelings of forbearance, forgiveness, and true love among believers1SP 201.2+1. It is designed to clear away misunderstandings and bring hearts out of selfishness and pride, drawing them together in blessed unity1MCP 277.1+1.

• Preparation for Emblems: This ceremony should precede the partaking of the emblems of the Lord's death (the bread and wine)Ev 275.1+1. We are not truly prepared for the holy communion unless we are cleansed by Christ's efficacy and have cultivated tender hearts toward one anotherRH July 5, 1898, par. 7+1.

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

After the foot washing and the departure of Judas John 13:30 the subsequent ceremony of the Lord's Supper was instituted. Jesus took the unleavened bread that was part of the Passover supper and blessed it Matthew 26:26PTUK May 19, 1898, page 310.1.

• The Bread: Jesus took the bread, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take, eat; this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me" Luke 22:19+2.

• The Cup: He then took the cup after the supper, stating, "This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me" 1 Corinthians 11:25. The bread and wine are the exclusive emblems that commemorate the Lord's deathSITI January 1, 1885, page 9.12.

The celebration of these ordinances, starting with the foot washing, is the fulfillment of Christ's command and a means by which He meets and strengthens His people through His personal presence12LtMs, Ms 19, 1897, par. 49+1. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" John 13:17SITI August 5, 1886, page 474.8.