John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

All four gospels tell the story of the fallen woman who anointed Jesus with the fragrant oil. When we put together all the pieces, we have the following true story.

What is Faith?

Romans 10:9–10 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Luke 7:36–39 NKJV

36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

Who is this woman, and what is it that led to her being characterized as a “sinner”?

A family devoted to God lived in the town of Bethany, just a few miles from Jerusalem. There were three children—Lazarus, the oldest, Martha, who enjoyed cooking and cleaning, and Mary, the youngest, who enjoyed people. They faithfully attended the synagogue each Sabbath. A leader there, named Simon, noticed how attractive Mary had become as she became a young woman. Lust developed within him and he found a chance to get her alone and forced himself on her. Scholars suggest that Simon was her uncle. She felt so dirty and ruined and guilty. Something must be wrong with her for a teacher to do this to her. Who could she tell? No one, not even her parents, would believe her over a “holy man of God.” She could no longer go to synagogue. She was taught that God would not want a soiled woman. Now no man would want to marry her. All her dreams of a good life were destroyed. She both feared and hated Simon for what he had done to her.

Like so many girls who have found themselves in this situation, she left home with a little savings and traveled to a far city, Magdala, to start over. But the money was soon gone and no one would give her a job, except the pimps. She had to survive, and besides, she was already less than nothing. She had nothing to lose. Her only friends were the prostitutes. She had no hope for a good future with man or God. Hatred toward Simon seethed within her. Darkness from the evil one settled in and around her. One day she heard talk about a new teacher, from Galilee, who spoke of God’s love for sinners, even prostitutes. A glimmer of hope began to grow in her heart. Could it possibly be that God could have any use for her? When Jesus came to Magdala, she went to hear Him. His words of hope and love burned within her. She waited to talk to Him and poured out all her burden and darkness. As He prayed for her, she heard His strong cries to the Father in her behalf. Jesus’ words of acceptance and forgiveness brought healing and freedom from the devil’s hold on her.

But when Jesus went on to another town, she had no strength to start a different life. The only work and the only friends available were in the old life of darkness, and she fell back into it. Once again Jesus came to town and she dared to go to Him and tell Him all. His love freed her again. This cycle happened several times until she really got two things: when Jesus is not in town, she still has the love of the Father to deliver her, and, God’s marvelous grace toward her could work in her to forgive Simon. Now she could go back to Bethany.

John 12 presents the same story but provides details that are missing in Luke’s account.

John 12:1–3 NKJV

1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Mary with the spikenard

There were some at the table that looked at what she did as a great waste.

What Led Mary to the Feet of Jesus?

Luke 8:1–2 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,

Greek in the continuous, suggests that it was seven demons on one occasion, but one demon seven times. Strike 1, strike 2...

Again scholars suggest that the woman caught in the act of adultery was Mary.

John 8:3–11 NKJV

3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Luke 7:40–49 NKJV

40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Luke 10:39–42 NKJV

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Matthew 26:10–13 NKJV

10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Luke 7:50 NKJV

50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Mary didn’t flee from Jesus like his disciples.

Mary first to the tomb

Luke 18:8 NKJV

8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Faith will be rare on the earth when Jesus comes.