Mary's Use of Her Hair in Anointing Jesus' Feet
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and wiping them with her hair, as recorded in John 12:3, is a significant event with multiple layers of interpretation [1]. This practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews and other Eastern nations, often signifying consecration, respect, or preparation [2, 3, 5].
The specific details of Mary's action—using pure nard, a costly perfume, and her hair to wipe Jesus' feet—highlight the extravagance and devotion of her gesture [1, 8]. Anointing the head or body with oil was a common custom, sometimes as a mark of respect for guests [2, 5]. However, Mary's use of her hair was particularly striking. In that cultural context, women typically did not unveil their hair in public [8]. By letting down her hair to wipe Jesus' feet, Mary demonstrated an "extravagant abandon" and profound humility [8].
The anointing itself carried symbolic weight. Anointing was a rite of inauguration for prophets, priests, and kings in the Jewish commonwealth, signifying their consecration to a sacred office [3]. While Mary's act was not an official inauguration, it foreshadowed Jesus' impending death and burial. Jesus himself interpreted the anointing as preparation for his burial [5].
The event is mentioned in John 12:3, where Mary, the sister of Lazarus, performs the act [1, 10]. Other Gospel accounts also describe an anointing of Jesus, though with some variations in detail and timing. For instance, Mark's account mentions Mary anointing Jesus' head as well, with the perfume running down and scenting his garments [8]. John Gill clarifies that the Mary who anointed Jesus in John 12:3 is distinct from the unnamed woman in Luke 7:37, whose history is not related by John [10].
The act of using hair, a natural covering of the head, further emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of Mary's devotion [6]. While Egyptians would shave their hair except during mourning, and Jewish men valued long hair as a sign of beauty, women's hair was often worn long and plaited [4, 7, 6]. Mary's use of her hair in this context was a deeply personal and humble act of service.
The patristic writer Clement of Alexandria, while acknowledging the woman's act, notes that the use of ointments and crowns was not necessary for Christians, as it could lead to indulgence [9]. He recognized that the woman, "not having yet received the Word (for she was still a sinner)," honored the Lord through this act [9]. This perspective highlights an early understanding of the event as a demonstration of honor from one who was still in a state of sin.
Sources
- John “John 12:3 (BSB) — Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Anointing — in Holy Scripture, is either, I. Material--with oil--or II. Spiritual--with the Holy Ghost. I. MATERIAL.-- + Ordinary . Anointing the body or head with oil was a common practice with the Jews, as with other Oriental nations. (28:40; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15) Anointing the head with oil or ointment seems also to have been a mark of respect sometimes paid by a host to his guests. (Luke 7:46) and Psal 23:5 + Official . It was a rite of inauguration into each of the three typical offices of the Jewish commonwealth. a. Prophets were occasionally anointed to their o”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Anoint — The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews. (1.) The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). The expression, "anoint the shield" (Isa. 21:5), refers t”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hair — (1.) The Egyptians let the hair of their head and beard grow only when they were in mourning, shaving it off at other times. "So particular were they on this point that to have neglected it was a subject of reproach and ridicule; and whenever they intended to convey the idea of a man of low condition, or a slovenly person, the artists represented him with a beard." Joseph shaved himself before going in to Pharoah (Gen. 41:14). The women of Egypt wore their hair long and plaited. Wigs were worn by priests and laymen to cover the shaven skull, and false beards w”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anointing — With oil -- Ps 92:10. With ointment -- Joh 11:2. Was used for Decorating the person. -- Ru 3:3. Refreshing the body. -- 2Ch 28:15. Purifying the body. -- Es 2:12; Isa 57:9. Curing the sick. -- Mr 6:13; Jas 5:14. Healing wounds. -- Isa 1:6; Lu 10:34. Preparing weapons for war. -- Isa 21:5. Preparing the dead for burial. -- Mt 26:12; Mr 16:1; Lu 23:56. The Jews were very fond of. -- Pr 27:9; Am 6:6. Was applied to The head. -- Ps 23:5; Ec 9:8. The face. -- Ps 104:15. The feet. -- Lu 7:38,39; Joh 12:3. The eyes. -- Re 3:18. Ointment for Richly perfumed. -- S”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hair, The — The natural covering of the head -- Ps 68:21. Innumerable -- Ps 40:12; 69:4. Growth of -- Jdj 16:22. God Numbers. -- Mt 10:30. Takes care of. -- Da 3:27; Lu 21:18. Black, particularly esteemed -- Song 5:11. White or gray A token of age. -- 1Sa 12:2; Ps 71:18. A token of weakness and decay. -- Ho 7:9. An emblem of wisdom. -- Da 7:9; Job 12:12. With righteousness, a crown of glory. -- Pr 16:31. To be reverenced. -- Le 19:32. Man cannot even change the colour or -- Mt 5:36. Of women Worn long for a covering. -- 1Co 11:15. Plaited and broidered. -- 1Ti 2:9; 1”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hair — The Hebrews were fully alive to the importance of the hair as an element of personal beauty. Long hair was admired in the case of young men. (2 Samuel 14:26) In times of affliction the hair was altogether cut off. (Isaiah 3:17,24; 15:2; Jeremiah 7:29) Tearing the hair (Ezra 9:3) and letting it go dishevelled were similar tokens of grief. The usual and favorite color of the hair was black, (Song of Solomon 5:11) as is indicated in the comparisons in (Song of Solomon 1:5; 4:1) a similar hue is probably intended by the purple of (Song of Solomon 7:6) Pure white ha”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 12:3: 12:3 Mary . . . anointed Jesus’ feet: Doing so was not awkward, because Jews reclined at formal meals, but it was certainly a dramatic gesture (cp. Matt 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-9). • Nard, a precious spice imported from North India, was sweet, red, and smelled like gladiola perfume. Twelve ounces of nard cost a year’s wages (John 12:5). According to Mark, Mary also anointed Jesus’ head (Mark 14:3), and the perfume ran down and scented his garments (Mark 14:8). • her hair: Women never unveiled their hair in public (see Luke 7:38). Mary was acting with extravagant abandon ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. VIII.--ON THE USE OF OINTMENTS AND CROWNS. (part 1): The use of crowns and ointments is not necessary for us; for it impels to pleasures and indulgences, especially on the approach of night. I know that the woman brought to the sacred supper "an alabaster box of ointment,"[6] and anointed the feet of the Lord, and refreshed Him; and I know that the ancient kings of the Hebrews were crowned with gold and precious stones. But the woman not having yet received the Word (for she was still a sinner), honoured the Lord”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 11:2: It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment,.... Not the woman in Luk 7:37, as some have thought, whose name is not mentioned, and which history is not related by John at all: but Mary in Joh 12:3, who is both mentioned by name, and along with Lazarus her brother, and with whom all the circumstances of the affair suit; and though the fact was not yet done, yet John writing many years after it was done, and when it was well known, proleptically, and in a parenthesis, takes notice of it here: and wiped his feet with her hair; instead of a napkin, after she ha”