The account of a woman with an alabaster jar is a significant event in the New Testament, recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This narrative highlights themes of devotion, repentance, and the recognition of Jesus' messianic identity. The woman, often identified as Mary of Bethany in John's Gospel, performs an act of profound love and worship by anointing Jesus with expensive perfume.

Biblical Accounts:

1. Matthew 26:6-13 : "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, 'Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.' Aware of this, Jesus said to them, 'Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me. By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.'"

2. Mark 14:3-9 : "While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on His head. But some of those present expressed their indignation to one another: 'Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.' And they scolded her. But Jesus said, 'Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me. She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial. And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.'"

3. Luke 7:36-50 : This account differs slightly, as it occurs in the house of a Pharisee named Simon. A sinful woman from the city learns that Jesus is dining there and brings an alabaster jar of perfume. She stands behind Jesus at His feet, weeping, and begins to wet His feet with her tears. She wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and pours perfume on them. Simon questions Jesus' prophetic insight, but Jesus responds with a parable about two debtors, emphasizing forgiveness and love. He tells the woman, "Your sins are forgiven... Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

4. John 12:1-8 : "Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, 'Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?' He did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 'Leave her alone,' Jesus replied. 'She was intended to keep this perfume to prepare for the day of My burial. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.'"

Cultural and Theological Significance:

The alabaster jar, often containing costly perfume such as nard, symbolizes the woman's sacrificial act of worship and devotion. The act of anointing Jesus is rich in cultural and theological implications, as anointing was associated with honor, consecration, and preparation for burial. The woman's actions are contrasted with the disciples' misunderstanding and Judas' ulterior motives, highlighting the purity of her devotion.

In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the emphasis is on the woman's act as a preparation for Jesus' burial, while in John's account, the focus is on Mary's personal devotion and the foreshadowing of Jesus' impending death. The narrative underscores the theme of forgiveness, as seen in Luke's account, where Jesus acknowledges the woman's faith and forgives her sins.

The account of the woman with the alabaster jar has been remembered throughout Christian history as an example of selfless love and worship, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy that her deed would be told in memory of her wherever the gospel is preached.