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Mat_26:7. Γυνή ] According to John, it was Mary.
ἀλάβαστρον ] Among classical writers the neuter of this word does not occur except in the plural; in the singular ἀλάβαστρος is masculine, as also in 2Ki_21:13, and feminine. “Unguenta optime servantur in alabastris,” Plin. N. H. iii. 3; Herod, iii. 20; Theocr. Id. xv. 114; Anth. Pal. ix. 153. 3; Jacobs, ad Anthol. XI. p. 92.
ἐπὶ τ . κ . αὐτοῦ ] A divergence from John’s account, not to be reconciled in the arbitrary manner in which Calvin and Ebrard have attempted, as though the oil had been so unsparingly poured on that it ran down and was used for the feet as well (comp. Morison). Matthew narrates an anointing of the head; John, of the feet. The practice of anointing the heads of guests by way of showing them respect is well known (comp. Plat. Rep. p. 398 A, and Stallbaum thereon). Seeing, however, that the anointing of the feet was unusual (in opposition to Ebrard), and betokened a special and extraordinary amount of respect (as is, in fact, apparent from Luk_7:46), our passage would have been all the less likely to “omit” it (Lange), had it really formed part of the tradition.
ἀνακειμένου ] while He was reclining at table, a circumstance qualifying the αὐτοῦ .