Spikenard Anointing Oil

Anointing of Jesus with Spikenard 

Carrying an alabaster flask, of an extravagant and costly oil of spikenard, Mary of Bethany breaks it open and anoints the head and feet of Jesus and wipes His feet with her hair.

The essence of spikenard escaping the alabaster flask filling the whole house, was undeniably a symbolic fragrant of affection, sympathy, joy and peace that spoke of a life poured out in devotion and a profound act of worship that truly pleased our Lord

Spikenard Scripture Reference

John 12:1-8

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead,[whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 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. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son,who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the moneybox; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.  For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Mark 14:3-9

In Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?  For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 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.”

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Matthew 26:6-13  

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

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. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 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.”

Song of Solomon 1:12

While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance

Song of Solomon 4:13

Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits, fragrant henna with spikenard

Song of Solomon 4:14

Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices