Answer: Yes. There were at least two separate anointing events recorded in the Gospels.
One of the most well-known accounts of Jesus being anointed is by Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. This event is recorded in John 12:1–3, Matthew 26:6–13, and Mark 14:3–9. These passages describe Mary anointing Jesus six days before the Passover, in the town of Bethany. Let’s look at the account in the Gospel of John:
John 12:1–3 (NIV):
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
This act of anointing was one of deep love and devotion, likely also symbolic of Jesus’ impending burial, as He later indicated (John 12:7).
However, in the Gospel of Luke, we find another account that closely resembles this one but contains distinct details and takes place at a different time and location, and involves a different woman.
Luke 7:36–38 (NIV):
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
There are several key differences between the two events:
1. Different Locations
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Luke 7 occurs in a Pharisee’s house, in one of the towns of Galilee, likely Nain or Capernaum, where Jesus had been preaching (Luke 7:11; Luke 7:1).
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The John 12 event occurs in Bethany, near Jerusalem in the south, and specifically at the house of Simon the Leper (as identified in Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3).
2. Different Timing
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The event in Luke 7 happens much earlier in Jesus’ ministry, before His final trip to Jerusalem.
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The anointing by Mary of Bethany occurs just days before His crucifixion, during Passion Week.
3. Different Women
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In John 12, the woman is explicitly named as Mary, the sister of Lazarus.
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In Luke 7, the woman is unnamed, only described as “a sinful woman”, traditionally understood to be a known sinner, possibly a prostitute (though the Bible does not name her or confirm her background).
4. Different Spiritual Expressions
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The woman in Luke 7 shows deep repentance, weeping at Jesus’ feet, kissing them, and wiping them with her hair—an outpouring of love from a forgiven sinner (see Luke 7:47–50).
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Mary of Bethany pours perfume on Jesus in a more worshipful, prophetic act, anticipating His death and burial (John 12:7; Mark 14:8).
Theological Insight:
These accounts highlight different aspects of faith and devotion:
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Forgiveness leads to love – as seen in Luke 7:47: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.”
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Reverent worship and prophetic insight – as Mary understood something even Jesus’ disciples missed: His death was near, and she honored Him beforehand.
Conclusion:
Yes, there were at least two distinct anointing events involving different women, at different times, in different places, with different motives and spiritual messages.
While the identity of the woman in Luke 7 remains unknown, what matters most is the faith and love displayed in both stories. These acts of anointing are profound illustrations of repentance, worship, and preparation for Christ’s sacrifice.
