Which Mary? Who Was the Woman with the Alabaster Jar?

One of the most beautiful and misunderstood moments in the Gospels is when a woman breaks an alabaster jar of perfume and anoints Jesus. But who was she?

Over the centuries, people have merged three different women in the New Testament into one single figure, often wrongly identifying her as a repentant prostitute. This confusion has led to a distorted image of some of the most faithful women in the life of Jesus.

Many Christians who study and preach get confused with Marys. So, let's get the facts correct and Unlearn.

Let's meet the Marys 

The Three Women Often Confused

1. Mary of Bethany

• Sister of Lazarus and Martha

• Known for sitting at Jesus’ feet and anointing Him with very expensive perfume

• A true worshipper — never called a sinner or prostitute coz she was from a rich family.

 In John 12, she brings a pure nard in an alabaster jar, anoints Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair. Jesus says she was preparing Him for burial.

2. Mary Magdalene

• From Magdala, delivered from seven demons (Luke 8:2)

• Present at the crucifixion and first to see Jesus after the resurrection

• Often wrongly identified as a former prostitute — the Bible never says that

3. The “Sinful Woman”

• Appears in Luke 7:36–50

• Unnamed woman, described as a sinner

• She brings an alabaster jar of perfume, not much expensive and weeps at Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair

• Jesus forgives her sins and praises her deep love

Here’s where the confusion grows:

What About the Alabaster Jar?

2 different women with an alabaster jar.

Both Mary of Bethany and the unnamed sinful woman brought an alabaster jar of expensive perfume. But this makes sense when we understand that in ancient Jewish culture, alabaster jars were commonly used to store perfumes and oils.

So while the jar is the same, the woman, location, timing, and meaning are all different.

Another confusion is the Two Different Simons.

both events take place in the house of a man named Simon.

Simon” was a very common name in that era. The Bible mentions at least nine Simons, so this is not unusual.

1st Simon is a Parasee in the city of Nain at Galilee and this event happens at the early of Jesus ministry (Luke 7 : 11 , 36-50) where the sinful unnamed women comes.

2nd Simon was lepar may be healed by Jesus who is from Bethany at Jerusalem. And Mary of Bethany comes with an alabaster jar at the end of Jesus' ministry, to be 6 days from his Passover or his crucifixion. 

Where Did the Confusion Began to preach.

In 591 AD, Pope Gregory I delivered a sermon where he merged Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, and the sinful woman into one figure — labeling her as a repentant prostitute.

This became the dominant view in Western Christianity for centuries, despite the Bible never saying this.

Today, most scholars and church traditions have corrected this. The women are now recognized as distinct individuals, each with a unique story and role in the ministry of Jesus.

Why This Matters

• Mary of Bethany was not a fallen woman. She was a worshipper, a disciple who saw what others didn’t: that Jesus was going to die soon. And her action will be remembered as long as gospel preached. 

• The unnamed sinful woman repented and showed surrendered at the feet of Jesus and was fully forgiven.

• Mary Magdalene was a witness to resurrection power — the first to see the risen Lord.

By separating their stories, we can honor each of them for their unique relationship with Jesus — and be inspired by their devotion, repentance, and faith.

Final Thought

The story of the alabaster jar is told twice — by two women, at two different times, in two different places, and with two different Simons:

• One was a Pharisee, who judged.

• One was a leper, likely healed by Jesus 

• One woman was a sinner, seeking forgiveness.

• The other was Mary, giving everything in love.

Let’s unmix the Marys and unlearn something just because of an alabaster jar and a Simon are repeated. 

Hope its helped you.