Anointing at Bethany 03.21.21 3/23/21 WHO IS SIMON THE LEPER? Most scholars agree he was either - The father of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus or The husband of Martha 1 Name of ‘Simon’ in the N.T. 1. Simon, also called Peter (Matthew. 4:18; 10:2) 2. Simon the Leper, of Bethany; related to: Lazarus, Martha, and Mary (Matthew 26:6) 3. Simon, of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21) 4. Simon, father of Judas Iscariot (John 6:71; 13:26) 5. Simon Magus, the sorcerer in Samaria (Acts 8:9, 13, 18, 24) 6. Simon, the tanner of Joppa (Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32) 7. Simon, half-brother of Christ (Matthew13:55; Mark 6:3) 8. Simon, the Pharisee who invited Christ to dinner (Luke 7:36, 40, 43, 44) 9. Simon, the Zealot (or Cananite) a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13) 2 1 Anointing at Bethany 03.21.21 3/23/21 Why is Simon called ‘Leper’? • Likely a mis-translation from the Hebrew Aramaic to the Greek. • Word translated is GRBA [gimel-resh- beyt-aleph]. (no vowels in Hebrew/Aramaic) • If pronounced “gar-bah” it means” leper • If pronounced “gar-ah-bah” it means “jar-maker” or a “potter.” 3 Matthew 26:6 Hebrew Roots Bible And Yahshua being in Bethany, in Simon the potter's house, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster vial of ointment, very precious. And she poured it on His head as He reclined. 4 2 Anointing at Bethany 03.21.21 3/23/21 Anointed Head or Feet? Matt 26:12 NKJV For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Mark 14:8 NKJV- She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 5 Judas’ anger hid the less charitable motive of greed. His anger was not at the lost opportunity to feed hungry people, but at his own personal loss. It is easy to place a convenient explanation on an unexpectedly strong emotional reaction without questioning it properly, especially when the reality may not reflect so well on us. Understanding even our own feelings may require reflection and help from God and others. -Guy Brandon, Jubilee Centre 6 3 Anointing at Bethany 03.21.21 3/23/21 • ‘The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.’ (Proverbs 20:5) 7 Did Mary Know? There is no reason to think Mary knew the full import of what she was doing, any more than Caiaphas knew what he was saying (see John 11:48-52) 8 4 Anointing at Bethany 03.21.21 3/23/21 Did Mary Know? The people around Jesus are being caught up in the climax of all of salvation history. They are acting for their own reasons, yet they are players in a drama that they do not understand, doing and saying things with significance beyond their imaginings. "Mary in her devotion unconsciously provides for the honour of the dead. Judas in his selfishness unconsciously brings about the death itself" -Wescott Commentary 9 Mary at the feet of Jesus • In Luke 10:39: Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and learned • In John 11:32: Mary fell at Jesus’ feet and surrendered • In John 12:3: Mary anointed Jesus’ feet and honored Jesus 10 5 Anointing at Bethany 03.21.21 3/23/21 “You must sit at his feet, or you will never anoint them; he must pour his divine teaching into you, or you will never pour out a precious ointment upon him.” - Charles Spurgeon 11 6.