Matthew 26:10 kjv
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
Matthew 26:10 nkjv
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.
Matthew 26:10 niv
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
Matthew 26:10 esv
But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.
Matthew 26:10 nlt
But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?
Matthew 26 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 26:6-7 | Now when Jesus was in Bethany... there came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head... | Contextual setting of the anointing, detailing the act itself. |
| Mt 26:12 | For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. | Jesus explicitly states the prophetic meaning of her act. |
| Mt 26:13 | Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached... there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. | Jesus ensures her deed will be remembered perpetually. |
| Mk 14:6 | And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. | Parallel account emphasizing Jesus' defense of her "good work." |
| Jn 12:3 | Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair... | Parallel account, identifies the woman as Mary, adds detail of feet and hair. |
| Jn 12:4-6 | Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot... Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?... this he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief... | Reveals Judas' ulterior motive for criticizing, highlighting his hypocrisy. |
| Lk 7:37-38 | And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner... stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. | Similar act of devoted anointing, demonstrating a repentant heart. |
| Lk 10:41-42 | And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. | Jesus prioritizes devotion (Mary listening) over busy service (Martha's concern). |
| Mk 12:43-44 | And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. | Emphasizes the value of costly, sacrificial giving from the heart, not quantity. |
| Php 4:18 | ...I have received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. | Describes offerings as a pleasing aroma to God, echoing the costly anointing. |
| Heb 13:16 | But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. | God is pleased with "good works" that involve sharing and beneficence. |
| Mt 6:19-21 | Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth... But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. | Contrast between earthly material value and heavenly spiritual value. |
| Isa 55:2 | Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. | A rebuke for misplacing value on what is temporal rather than eternal. |
| Hos 6:6 | For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. | Prioritizing internal spiritual reality (mercy, knowing God) over external religious rites. |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. | Believers are created for good works, reflecting God's design. |
| Tit 2:14 | Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. | Christ's sacrifice aims to make His people eager for good deeds. |
| 1 Tim 2:10 | But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. | Women of faith are adorned by their good deeds. |
| Acts 10:38 | How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. | References Jesus' divine anointing for His ministry, setting the stage for His ultimate anointing for burial. |
| Lk 4:18-19 | The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel... | Jesus declares His anointing for mission, connecting to His ultimate purpose fulfilled in death. |
| 1 Cor 1:27 | But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. | God's wisdom often defies human logic and societal norms. |
| Heb 1:9 | Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. | Refers to Jesus' unique anointing as Messiah, emphasizing His character. |
| Mt 18:6 | But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. | Illustrates Jesus' protection of those who believe and are vulnerable to causing offense. |
Matthew 26 verses
Matthew 26 10 Meaning
Jesus defended the woman who anointed Him with costly perfumed oil against the disciples' criticism. He affirmed her act as a profoundly "good" and beautiful deed performed directly "upon Him," underscoring its spiritual value and prophetic significance for His impending burial, prioritizing heartfelt devotion over mere economic or utilitarian concerns.
Matthew 26 10 Context
Matthew 26:10 occurs during the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry, just two days before Passover, which means two days before His crucifixion. The immediate setting is a meal at the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany. This intimate scene of profound devotion by the unnamed woman stands in stark contrast to the unfolding conspiracy of the Jewish religious leaders to arrest Jesus (Mt 26:3-5) and Judas Iscariot's subsequent decision to betray Him for money (Mt 26:14-16). The anointing highlights Jesus' understanding of His imminent death and burial, positioning this act as a preparation for His passion, understood spiritually by the woman, but materially misunderstood and criticized by His own disciples. Culturally, anointing was common, but the extravagant use of costly perfumed oil signified extreme honor or an act of embalming/preparation for burial. The disciples' objection, particularly Judas's (as per John's account), reflects a worldly utilitarian perspective that saw the expense as a "waste" that could have been used for the poor, highlighting a tension between conventional charity and an exceptional act of worship toward Jesus Himself.
Matthew 26 10 Word analysis
But when Jesus understood it (Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς γνοὺς - Ho de Iēsoûs gnoùs):
- Gnoùs is the aorist participle of ginōskō, meaning "to know," "to perceive," or "to understand fully." This is not just hearing murmurs, but Jesus discerning the intent and motive of their hearts. It speaks to His divine omniscience and His ability to look beyond the surface of words to the true state of a person's spirit.
he said to them (εἶπεν αὐτοῖς - eîpen autoîs): This is a direct, authoritative, and immediate statement, typical of Jesus' way of addressing misguided thoughts or actions. "Them" refers to the disciples, who were voicing their criticism or allowing it to fester.
Why trouble ye the woman? (Τί κόπους παρέχετε τῇ γυναικί; - Tí kómpous parékhete tēi gynaiki?):
- Tí: "Why?" A rhetorical question that serves as a gentle yet firm rebuke, indicating their criticism is unnecessary and wrong.
- Kómpous: The accusative plural of kopos, meaning "toil," "labor," "trouble," "vexation," or "annoyance." Their words were creating distress and placing a burden on her. It points to the spiritual cost of their judgment.
- Parékhete: From parechō, "to offer," "to provide," "to cause," "to present." They were actively causing her trouble.
- Tēi gynaiki: "The woman." Jesus emphasizes her person and her dignity against their uncharitable judgment.
for she hath wrought a good work upon me. (ἔργον γὰρ καλὸν ἠργάσατο ἐπ’ ἐμέ. - érgon gàr kalòn ērgázato ep’ emé.):
- Gar: "For," "because." Introduces Jesus' justification and defense of the woman's action.
- Érgon: "Work," "deed," "action." It is a concrete act, not just an intention.
- Kalòn: "Good," "beautiful," "noble," "excellent," "right." This adjective denotes something that is intrinsically fine, honorable, and fitting. It implies that her action possessed a unique excellence and beauty in God's eyes, far exceeding a merely utilitarian or financially "wise" act. It was ethically and aesthetically superior.
- Ērgázato: Aorist middle indicative of ergazomai, "to work," "to perform," "to accomplish." She completed this deed, and it was performed definitively by her. "Hath wrought" (KJV) conveys this completed action.
- Ep’ emé: "Upon me," "unto me," "concerning me." This specifies the unique target and recipient of her action. It wasn't just a generic act of piety; it was a deeply personal, focused act of devotion directed solely to Jesus Himself, signifying His central role in her life.
Words-group analysis:
- "Why trouble ye the woman?": This phrase underscores Jesus' compassionate nature and His defense of those who act out of sincere love, especially when they are misunderstood or wrongly accused by others, even His own followers. He protects the humble and devotional heart.
- "she hath wrought a good work upon me.": This declaration by Jesus radically redefines "good work." It moves beyond conventional acts of charity or social responsibility, presenting an act of extravagant, self-sacrificial devotion to Jesus Christ Himself as a uniquely "good" and "beautiful" work. It signifies an alignment with divine purpose—His anointing for burial—and illustrates the superior value of personal worship and honor toward Christ.
Matthew 26 10 Bonus section
- The woman's spontaneous and extravagant act of worship demonstrates a deep spiritual perception that contrasted sharply with the spiritual dullness of the disciples and the hypocrisy of Judas. Her devotion acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah whose death and burial were imminent, preparing Him physically and symbolically for this supreme sacrifice.
- The phrase kalon ergon (good/beautiful work) implies an act that is inherently honorable and commendable in God's sight, transcending mere material value. It serves as a reminder that what seems "wasteful" from a human, economic viewpoint can be divinely "beautiful" when offered to Christ with a pure heart and recognition of His unique Person.
- This passage highlights that genuine worship and devotion to Jesus may sometimes call for extraordinary acts of costly sacrifice that cannot be quantified by conventional human metrics. Such acts are eternally valued by Jesus and remain a powerful testimony of faith.
Matthew 26 10 Commentary
In Matthew 26:10, Jesus discerns and challenges the critical spirit of His disciples, who valued practicality and material utility over an act of profound spiritual devotion. The disciples' condemnation of the woman's anointing as a "waste" reflects a limited, earthly perspective that failed to grasp the deeper, prophetic significance of her action. Jesus corrects them, affirming her deed as a kalon ergon – a beautiful, noble, and excellent work. This work was "upon Him," directly expressing love, honor, and preparation for His impending burial. The anointing, though outwardly extravagant, was internally Spirit-led and faith-filled, recognizing Jesus' identity and destiny in a way even His closest disciples initially struggled to grasp. This verse thus champions uncalculating, costly love and devotion to Christ, contrasting it sharply with human utilitarianism and setting a standard for true spiritual worship that often defies conventional worldly logic.