4c-e. Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien | Matthäus-Passion Unraveled

Interpretation

The setting shifts to an intimate moment in Bethany. The anointing by the woman is a crucial symbol of love and devotion. In contrast to the hatred of the priests and the greed of the disciples, she honors him as the 'anointed one' (Christ).

Even his own disciples do not understand him here. They only see the monetary value of the oil, not the emotional value of the gesture. The 'waste' they complain about is actually an expression of pure love that they cannot comprehend at that moment.

Jesus defends the woman and directly links her careful gesture to his approaching death. In his eyes, the oil is not a waste, but an anointing for his grave. He acknowledges that his time on earth is almost over and honors her loyalty above the criticism of his friends.

The Anointing at Bethany

Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien

Recitative

•Evangelist, Jesus, Chorus

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No. 4c-epart_05

Evangelist

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 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. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying:

Chorus I

To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

Evangelist

When Jesus understood it, he said unto them:

Jesus

Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 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.

German

English

Evangelist

Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien, im Hause Simons des Aussätzigen, trat zu ihm ein Weib, das hatte ein Glas mit köstlichem Wasser und goß es auf sein Haupt, da er zu Tische saß. Da das seine Jünger sahen, wurden sie unwillig und sprachen:

Evangelist

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 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. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying:

Koor I

Wozu dienet dieser Unrat? Dieses Wasser hätte mögen teuer verkauft und den Armen gegeben werden.

Chorus I

To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

Evangelist

Da das Jesus merkete, sprach er zu ihnen:

Evangelist

When Jesus understood it, he said unto them:

Jesus

Was bekümmert ihr das Weib? Sie hat ein gut Werk an mir getan. Ihr habet allezeit Armen bei euch, mich aber habet ihr nicht allezeit. Dass sie dies Wasser hat auf meinen Leib gegossen, hat sie getan, dass man mich begraben wird. Wahrlich ich sage euch: Wo dies Evangelium gepredigt wird in der ganzen Welt, da wird man auch sagen zu ihrem Gedächtnis, was sie getan hat.

Jesus

Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 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.

Modern adaptation

While Jesus was visiting a friend, a woman came and poured a bottle of very expensive oil over him. His friends thought it was a waste. What a waste of that expensive oil! We could have given that money to the poor. Jesus said: 'Leave her alone. She has honored me. The poor are always with you, but I will not be here much longer. She is preparing my body for my grave.'

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St Matthew Passion