Box

How Nave’s arranged it

• For oil2 Kings 9:1–3
• Made of alabasterMatthew 26:7Mark 14:3Luke 7:37

The passages, in Bible order (4)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 4 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. 2 Kings 9:1–3

   Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead.

   ›Commentary on 2 Kings 9:1–32 voices

   “And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets,.... Who the Jews generally say (k) was Jonah the son of Amittai: and said, gird up thy loins; his loose and long garments about his loins, for quicker dispatch in travelling: and take this box of oil in thine hand; for an use after directed to: and go to Ramothgilead; where Joram had left his army with his captains, to keep the city from the Syrians. (k) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 18. p. 47.”

   “Box - Rather, ‘flask,’ or ‘vial’ 1Sa 10:1. Oil and ointment were commonly kept in open-mouthed jars, vases, or bottles made of glass, alabaster, or earthen-ware. Many such vessels have been found both in Egypt and Assyria. The ‘oil’ was the holy oil, compounded after the receipt given in Exodus Exo 30:23-25.”

   Everything gathered on 2 Kings 9:1–3→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Matthew 26:7

   a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

   ›Commentary on Matthew 26:72 voices

   “(Verse 6) But when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. About to suffer for the whole world and redeem all nations with his blood, he stayed in Bethany, the house of obedience, which was once Simon the leper's. Not that he remained a leper at that time, but he who was formerly a leper was cleansed by the Savior, with his former name remaining, so that the power of the healer may be apparent.”

   “Another Evangelist (John 12:3.) instead of 'alabastrum' has 'nardum pisticam,' that is, genuine, unadulterated. For let no one think that she who anointed His head and she who anointed His feet were one and the same; for the latter washed His feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair, and is plainly said to have been a harlot. But of this woman nothing of this kind is recorded, and indeed a harlot could not have at once been made deserving of the Lord's head.”

   Everything gathered on Matthew 26:7→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Mark 14:3

   While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.

   ›Commentary on Mark 14:32 voices

   “This woman has a very special message for you who are about to be baptized. She broke her alabaster jar that Christ may make you ‘christs,’ his anointed. Hear what it says in the Canticle of Canticles: ‘Your name spoken is a spreading perfume, therefore the maidens love you. We will follow you eagerly in the fragrance of your perfume!’”

   “Alabaster box - Among critics and learned men there are various conjectures concerning the alabaster mentioned by the evangelists: some think it means a glass phial; others, that it signifies a small vessel without a handle, from α negative and λαβη, a handle; and others imagine that it merely signifies a perfume or essence bottle. There are several species of the soft calcareous stone called alabaster, which are enumerated and described in different chemical works. Spikenard - Or nard. An Indian plant, whose root is very small and slender.”

   Everything gathered on Mark 14:3→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Luke 7:37

   When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.

   ›Commentary on Luke 7:372 voices

   “The deeply interesting narrative contained in these verses, is only found in the Gospel of Luke. In order to see the full beauty of the story — we should read, in connection with it, the eleventh chapter of Matthew. We shall then discover the striking fact that the woman whose conduct is here recorded, most likely owed her conversion to the well-known words, ‘Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden — and I will give you rest.’”

   “THIS is a marvelously vivid Gospel incident. Every detail is plainly and forcefully set forth, so that we can picture the scene, making it live before us, without much mental effort. And yet, in some respects, there is a great reticence, a Divine delicacy, gloriously characteristic of so tender a book as the New Testament. The Evangelist—‘the beloved physician,’ Luke—does not lay bare the minute particulars of this woman's life's sins, but delights to dwell rather upon the story of her penitence and its fair fruits, and so makes her to shine resplendently as a wonder of redeeming Grace!”

   Everything gathered on Luke 7:37→

   Verse page →Original language →