Matthew 26 8

Matthew 26:8 kjv

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

Matthew 26:8 nkjv

But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?

Matthew 26:8 niv

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked.

Matthew 26:8 esv

And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?

Matthew 26:8 nlt

The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste!" they said.

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 8 Meaning

Matthew 26:8 records the reaction of Jesus' disciples to a woman anointing Him with very costly ointment. They observed her act and were strongly displeased, articulating their sentiment by questioning the purpose of such a lavish expenditure, seeing it as mere "waste." This reaction reveals a materialistic perspective contrasting with the profound spiritual significance of the woman's deed, especially in light of Jesus' impending death.

Matthew 26 8 Context

This event takes place in Bethany, at the house of Simon the Leper, just two days before the Passover feast, which precedes Jesus' crucifixion. At this point in Matthew's narrative (Chapter 26), the Jewish leaders are already actively plotting to arrest and kill Jesus. While Jesus is seated at the table, a woman (identified as Mary, Lazarus' sister, in Jn 12:3) pours an alabaster flask of very expensive fragrant oil, typically spikenard, on His head. The disciples' reaction in verse 8 forms a sharp contrast to the woman's lavish act of devotion, immediately setting up the spiritual and sacrificial themes of the coming Passover. This scene also foreshadows Judas Iscariot's imminent betrayal, with his personal greed and deceit highlighted in the parallel Gospel of John.

Matthew 26 8 Word analysis

• But when His disciples (οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ - hoi mathētai autou):

  • But: Marks a sharp contrast between the woman's selfless, worshipful action and the reaction that follows.
  • His disciples: Refers to the collective group of Jesus' followers. While all may have initially questioned, John 12:4-6 explicitly states Judas Iscariot as the one who initiated the complaint and voiced the concern about the money. This implies a core group feeling similar indignation, perhaps swayed by Judas. "Disciples" means "learners" or "apprentices"; yet here, their understanding of Jesus' true nature and mission is shown to be severely lacking.

• saw it (ἰδόντες - idontes):

  • Means "having seen" or "perceiving with the eyes." They witnessed the physical act of the anointing. However, their physical perception was not accompanied by spiritual insight into the meaning or purpose of the act, leading to their misjudgment.

• they were indignant (ἠγανάκτησαν - ēganaktēsan):

  • From the Greek verb aganakteō. It means "to be much vexed," "to be annoyed," or "to feel strong displeasure/moral indignation." It implies a reaction of anger or resentment, often rooted in a perceived injustice, impropriety, or significant loss. Here, it signifies their strong negative emotional response to what they considered an imprudent use of valuable resources. This indignation stemmed from a materialistic evaluation, missing the act's spiritual depth and prophetic significance.

• saying, 'Why this waste?' (λέγοντες, "Εἰς τί ἡ ἀπώλεια αὕτη;" - legontes, "Eis ti hē apōleia hautē?"):

  • Why: A direct challenge, demanding justification for an act they deemed illogical or excessive.
  • this waste (ἡ ἀπώλεια αὕτη - hē apōleia hautē):
    • Waste: The Greek word apōleia denotes "destruction," "ruin," or "perishing," and can also refer to "loss" or "waste" in a material sense. In this context, it highlights their view that the expensive oil was being utterly squandered or rendered useless for any practical good. For Judas, as revealed in John 12, this "waste" meant a loss of potential money that could have been misappropriated by him, demonstrating his heart's true allegiance to greed rather than concern for the poor. For other disciples, it might have been a genuine, yet mistaken, thought about a more "sensible" use of the funds.
    • The implication of apōleia is that the resource was not merely misspent but effectively "destroyed" or rendered unrecoverable, from their economic viewpoint.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant": This phrase contrasts the external perception of the disciples with their internal, unspiritual judgment. They saw the act but lacked the discernment to understand its value or meaning from God's perspective. Their "indignation" underscores a deep disapproval stemming from their attachment to worldly values.

• "saying, 'Why this waste?'": This question articulates the disciples' practical, utilitarian mindset. They judged the act by its economic impact rather than its symbolic, prophetic, or spiritual worth. The focus on "waste" betrays a lack of understanding regarding the nature of worship, sacrifice, and the profound significance of Jesus' imminent death. This query serves as a pivot point for Jesus' subsequent teaching on the value of the act and His impending burial.

Matthew 26 8 Bonus section

• The costly ointment represented an enormous personal sacrifice for the woman, showcasing genuine worship that valued Jesus far above material wealth. This contrasts sharply with the disciples' monetary valuation.
• The event occurs as the plot against Jesus intensifies, making the woman's act a profound, if unwitting, prophetic action. She acts with spiritual foresight where the disciples demonstrate spiritual blindness regarding Jesus' destiny.
• The incident perfectly sets up Jesus' teaching on the always-present poor versus His unique, time-sensitive presence, correcting the disciples' misguided concern with an eternal truth about sacrificial worship and service.

Matthew 26 8 Commentary

Matthew 26:8 captures the striking contrast between a profound act of selfless devotion and the disciples' earthly, utilitarian perspective. The woman's extravagant anointing of Jesus, interpreted by Him as preparation for His burial, was perceived by His own followers as sheer "waste." This reaction highlights their consistent difficulty in grasping the true nature of Jesus' mission, particularly His suffering and death.

While the general indignation is stated, the Gospel of John pinpoints Judas Iscariot as the primary voice of dissent, revealing his concern for the poor was a pretense for his own covetousness. This episode therefore exposes both a general human inclination to value the material over the spiritual, and the specific insidious influence of greed, even within Jesus' inner circle. The disciples, despite walking daily with the Lord, struggled to see beyond monetary value to the immeasurable worth of loving sacrifice and the prophetic significance of preparing Christ for His ultimate act of redemption. This instance serves as a sober reminder that even those closest to divine revelation can be spiritually obtuse or swayed by corrupt motives, failing to recognize God's will in an unconventional display of faith and devotion.