Judas Iscariot: Part 2 The Thief
John 12 v 4-6
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.
These verses show Judas’s response to Mary anointing Jesus. She was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. While Jesus was at dinner, she came in and broke open a container of perfume, anointed His feet and wiped them with her hair.
This is mentioned in all four Gospels, which highlights the importance of this story.
The perfume would have been sealed in a container. The only way to release the perfume was to break it. In the version found in the Gospel of John, we are told the perfume would cost three hundred denarii, of $14,000 in today’s money.
Song of Songs
This story has be linked to the Old Testament book, the Song of Songs.
Song of Songs 1 v 12
While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.
This book is typically interpreted by portraying the relationship between Christ (the Bridegroom) and the Church (the Bride). By connecting the Gospel story with this passage from the Song of Songs, we can view Mary as symbolically representing the Church. So, in this story, the Church is kneeling before God, submitting to Him, and offering her most precious possession.
Anointing Ceremony
In the Old Testament, priests and kings were anointed before they could begin their office. The anointing involved pouring oil over the head of the prospective ruler or priest.
Whereas when Christ was anointed, it was carried out by someone who was not a priest, but a woman. She also did not anoint His head, but covered his feet.
There could be several reasons why only Christ’s feet were anointed. Maybe it would have been cultural inappropriate for her to pour the fragrant oil over His head.
Maybe she anointed Him from the position of servitude and submission. I mean, how can a human anoint God? No one is greater than God. So God chose the lowly to anoint Him and not the Chief Priest.
Another thought is it might link in with the Book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 66 v 1
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool.”
Only the feet were anointed, because God’s feet are the only part of Him which is metaphorical on the Earth, His footstool.
Washing With Hair
This is a strange element to the story. My first thought tended towards this verse in 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 11 v 15
but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.
She was taking her glory and giving it to Christ, placing at his feet.
We could also link it to the hair motif within the story of Samson. In the Book of Judges, we see Samson tricked by Delilah to give up the secret of his strength, which was his uncut hair.
We see in this Gospel, the inversion of the Samson’s tale. Whereas Delilah is working with his enemies and trying to trick the hero, Mary is submitting herself to Christ, and is honouring Him.
The hair in the Samson’s story represents strength, but Mary’s hair represents submission and choosing weakness. It reminds me of when St Paul says,
2 Corinthians 12 v 10
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
As Christians, we must recognise our strength comes from Christ. We need to be less like Samson and more like Mary.
Anointing the Dead
Based on Jesus’ comments, later in the passage, we get an idea that this anointing may be also related to His death.
John 12 v 7
She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.
After Jesus died, the women went to anoint his body. This was a common practice in 1st Century Judea.
Comments From Judas
What Judas said was telling. In this moment of anointing, he criticises Jesus and Mary. He points out how much could have been given to the poor, if only the perfume could have been sold.
By saying what he said, he was denigrating Mary’s offering and sacrifice. He was rejecting Christ’s anointing. And effectively, he was saying that Christ should not be anointed, should not be the priest and king and should not be honoured in death.
I have heard a theory where he wanted to use the sale of the perfume to cover the money he had taken from the bag. Maybe this is why John says:
Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it
Why Didn’t Jesus Stop Him?
I have wondered why Jesus did not intervene, if the disciples knew about Judas stealing.
I suspect it is because Jesus (God) is slow to anger and full of mercy. Maybe he was hoping Judas would stop and repent. Judas must have heard so much about sin while walking and talking with Jesus. But I guess he had a hardened heart.
Also Jesus likely saw this as part of the plan. And so continued to trust and submit to His Father.