Last night (2/27) on the Military Channel I usually dont watch anything concerning the Lord for they usually get all kittywampus anyways. But last night they said they were going to reveal who Mary Magdalene was. and hinted that she was the one who anointed Jesus. After 15 minutes I couldnt believe it. People who were calling themselves "Bible Scholars" were telling of Mary Magdalene doing all sorts of stuff, including anointing Jesus with oil. anyone who has a real thirst for the Scriptures would know that it was not Mary Magdalene .. NO it was another Mary.. who incidentally is actually identified in the scriptures verbatum. And so, here again, We get to see these Blind Guides doing their work without slightest question as to their assumptions being wrong.  I actually had the Lord get me focused on the event and after quite a long study I was amazed at What the Spirit showed me.... Wow... so please take your  time and read this and find out Who, Where, Why this event happened..

Before you get into the study.. go ahead and be truthfull and answer these 3 questions right now.. Who Anointed Jesus, Where did it happen, and Fpr wjat purpose did the event take place for? ok? Got it? Now begin to read.. and watch where the scriptures lead you to ... It maybe long but it is well worth the read and then you will know, Not all Bible Scholars are Bible Scholars. (BTW ..They say that it was Mary Magdalene that anointed Jesus)   James

Who Really Anointed Jesus?
Giving Credit where Credit is due;

Who anointed Jesus with Myrrh and Where did it take place? And why did this episode even occur?

And yes, I have even heard the comment, 'Who Cares?'.

Here is an answer to that statement ... Matthew 26:13 "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."

What does this tell you? I would have to believe that The Lord cares as to whom anointed him that day, and he cares a whole bunch if we were giving the credit to the wrong person, wouldn't he? It would so seem that we need to take the same care as to whom God chose to anoint HIM and also as to where it happened, and all the circumstances relating to the event and it was an Event. … Also to answer the naysayers, “Who Cares?” The answer is “Why did it happen!”

 
More than half of the people I have asked say that the woman who anointed Jesus was Mary Magdelene. And for a time I also believed that it was her or someone like her. Never did it occur to me who it really was, nor did it occur to me where it happened for in this scripture I always thought it to be at Lazarus' place in Bethany and I must add, that a lot of seminary professors with years of study say the same thing. But We were all wrong. Even Wikipedia is wrong when you google it! But that's a little later.

What little I know of the Gospels, The Lord had me write a movie, for what purpose? I thought it was to have it produced so that everyone could enjoy the ministry of Jesus per the scriptures, not man. But what really happened was that I began to see things that otherwise I wouldn't have or even bothered to investigate. "The Integrated Gospels" When you put the 4 Gospels together side by side on the common events such as the anointing of Jesus. You will find that the event is told from 4 different points of view, but all four views are INTEGRATED! When you realize this, everything is clearer, much clearer. This Event is No exception. Now, watch!, because you will learn some incredible awesome things that the Lord has in store for us. AWESOME is the polite way to express what you are about to see. Hold on, Here We Go!

How can we put the four gospels side by side? so as to compare in sequence what each of the 4 Apostles were able to write of? How about a Table? That won't work too many verses to compare … but italic common words within the verses that will bring out the common denominators and that would work!

The scriptures: Matthew 26:6-13 / Mark 14:3-9 / Luke 7:36-46 / John 12:1-11 Matthew 26:6-13

[6] Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
[7] There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
[8] But when his disciple(s?) saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
[9] For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
[10] When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
[11] For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
[12] For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
[13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Mark 14:3-9

[3] And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
[4] And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? (JB-Who made such a comment?)
[5] For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
[6] And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
[7] For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
[8] She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
[9] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

 
Luke 7:36-46

[36] And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
[37] And, behold, a woman in the city (From Bethany), which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, (JB-I thought he was a leper?)brought an alabaster box of ointment,
[38] And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
[39] Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, (thinking to himself) “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.”
[40] And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, (The pharisee is identified as Simon) I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
[41] There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
[42] And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
[43] Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
[44] And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but
she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
[45] Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
[46] My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
[47] Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
[48] And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
[49] And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
[50] And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

 
John 12:1-11

[1] Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. (JB-They were not at Lazarus's house as some would believe but Jesus did bring Lazarus with him which would infuriate the Pharisees for Lazarus had been raised from the dead)
[2] There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
[3] Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
[4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, (JB-here is who challenged Jesus) Simon's son (JB-Simon who? Simon the Leper? or Simon The Pharisee, or Simon The Zealot one of the 12? Or Simon Peter?), which should betray him,
[5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
[6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
[7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
[8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
[9] Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
[10] But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
[11] Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

 
With all the Italics, we can see some verification through duplicating....
Where: Bethany
Whose Place?: Simon the Leper/Simon the Pharisee
The Woman: Where did she come from? Bethany … "in the city"identified as being from the city of Bethany
The Woman: Identified in John as “Mary” but which one?

In all four gospels they all confirm that the event happened in Bethany. but there on they seem to differ, or do they?
Matthew says it was Simon, the leper, so does Mark, but Luke, who took painstaking time and care to write it all down carefully, says that it was Simon, The Pharisee and Jesus confirms it was Simon, the Pharisee by asking the one who invited him to dinner a direct question, which the Lord named as Simon. John did not indentify whose place they were in except to say that Lazarus was at the table with all the guests. Hmm?

None of them Identified who it was that anointed Jesus in this particular part of the scriptures. Although in John he does announce that Lazarus, Sister Martha, were there. Then in verse :3 John actually comes out and says it was Mary who came out and anointed Jesus. But, was it Lazarus' sister, or another Mary? We will see who she really is in just a minute ...

 
But what is most intriguing is that there is a hint of something here in this event that most do not see. The one who was the traitor, Judas Iscariot is mentioned and a side comment as to who his father was is also mentioned. John didn't have much of a high opinion of Judas as he even called him a thief, but he mentions that Judas' dad was Simon! Now, he could be talking about Simon Peter , or Simon -Jesus' half brother , or Simon The Leper / Simon The Pharisee, hmmm? or is there another Simon who was known to the 12 on a First name basis.

Yes there was one wasn't there? ... Simon the Zealot one of the 12! We can eliminate Simon Peter so too Simon Jesus' brother, it is very possible Judas could have been Simon the Leper / Simon the Pharisee, a good possibility, but if that were the case - wouldn't they have mentioned that they were at meat at Judas' dad's place? who was a Pharisee? In John 13 John is writing of the last supper where the 12 were with the Lord. After the dinner Jesus washed the feet of each disciple. Again when he got to Judas, John identifies his dad as "Simon's Son" Here is an intimate moment amongst the 12.

Again, to me, verifying that Simon must be one who is very very close to the 12 if not really familiar with them. So, by process of elimination I believe that Judas' dad was Simon the Zealot or Simon the Pharisee! John has a hint of pity for Simon's dad, Case for Simon the Pharisee is a strong one. When Judas came to introduce himself, why didn't Simon The Zealot introduced him to the Master as his son? Probably because he didnt know him, but if Judas was Simon the Pharisee's son it would explain how he knew the hierarchy of the Jewish Temple personally.

The place where they had sat to meat was Simon, The Pharisee who must have contracted leprosy and was healed by Jesus earlier. Simon the Pharisee was from Bethany and Lazarus, Martha and Mary also lived in Bethany so he, Simon the Pharisee knew them and they came over to help with the dinner, but where was Mary as it says in John that Martha served?

 
Let's see where is she really is identified? Which Mary was she? Mary Magdalene? Mary the Mother of James? Mary, The Mother of Jesus? Which Mary? Turn to John 11:1 John 11:1"Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, of Mary and her sister Martha. (2) It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with the ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick." There it is! She is identified! It was Mary, Lazarus' and Martha's sister! Wow!

Now is that all the discoveries in this event? Let's see;
1. the Town was indeed Bethany
2. The house was Simon the Pharisee who must have also been healed of leprosy
3. It was Judas Iscariot who challenged the Lord as to the use of the ointment and expensive oils to anoint him
4. It is a very good chance that Judas' dad was none other than Simon The Pharisee or Simon the Zealot, one of the 12
5. The lady that came into Simon The Pharisee's home was Mary, Lazarus' sister.

6. The people outside of Simon's home were there to see the one who had been raised from the dead, Lazarus.

BUT that's Not All!!!!
WHY DID THIS EPISODE EVEN HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE? There is a real reason why it did happen.. it had to happen!
Remember when the ladies got together to go to the Tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, for it was the right thing to do, a tradition? But Jesus wasn't there! He had already been resurrected!! So they couldn't anoint his body! But according to Jewish Tradition the body has to be anointed at or before burial. So What Happened?

IT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE BY LAZARUS' SISTER MARY!
Mark 14:6-9
And why did she cry so many tears?
And Jesus said, “Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
[7] For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
[8] She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.”
AFOREHAND: SHE KNEW THAT HE WAS GOING TO DIE AND HAD TO ANOINT HIS BODY! ! !

 
There is so much to discover when you compare the Four Gospels against each other. You will find that they do not disagree with each other but only give a much more definitive description of what happened in the major events. Check out the feeding of the 5,000 or check out the whole Sequence of the resurrection ... you will find through using a Chart/Table process that something doesn't add up, you will be amazed at what the real truth is.

Oh, in answer to the question brought up to me, The Lord gave the answer as HE felt it should be. You see, He wants the whole gospel preached in Truth, not from man's own point of view but from the scriptures. So When someone says it was Mary Magdalene who anointed Jesus, you can say,

“LET'S GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE,
it was Mary, Lazarus and Martha's sister who anointed the Lord Jesus.”
Amen

Blessings to all of you
In HIM
James Banfield