In the Bible, an alabaster box is a container used to hold costly perfumes and ointments. The word “alabaster” refers to a fine variety of gypsum often carved into vases and boxes for perfumes. These boxes were made from a white stone found near Alabastron in Egypt, which is how they got their name.
Alabaster boxes and their precious contents show up in a few key Bible stories. The first mention is in the gospels, where a woman anoints Jesus’ head with perfume from an alabaster flask. This story is told in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 7. The second reference is when Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus’ tomb after the resurrection. She brings with her an alabaster box of ointment (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56).
Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible says about alabaster boxes and their significance:
The woman with the alabaster box
In Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 12, a woman approaches Jesus while he is dining at the house of Simon the Leper in Bethany. She has with her an alabaster flask filled with expensive perfume. The gospel writers emphasize the costliness of its contents.
Some of those present complain that this perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus responds by telling them to leave the woman alone. He says she has done a beautiful thing in anointing him with perfume for his upcoming burial. Jesus declares that her story will be told wherever the gospel is preached.
This alabaster box of perfume was likely the woman’s most prized possession. By anointing Jesus with it, she shows her devotion as she prepares him for burial. Jesus recognizes this as a sacrificial act of worship.
Mary Magdalene’s alabaster box
After Jesus’ death, his body is prepared for burial and placed in a tomb. Mary Magdalene and other women go to the tomb on the third day following his crucifixion, bringing spices to anoint his body. Mark 16:1 mentions specifically that Mary Magdalene brought with her an alabaster box of ointment.
Nard was a costly ointment made from the root of spikenard. Sitting at Jesus’ feet and anointing them with this kind of extravagant perfume showed love and gratitude, as when Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus before his death. By bringing this alabaster box of nard to the tomb, Mary Magdalene shows her devotion as she goes to care for Jesus’ body.
Significance and symbolism
Alabaster in the ancient world symbolized luxury and devotion. The boxes were made of expensive white stone crafted into ornate vessels for perfumes. The contents were costly ointments and spices, often imported from distant lands. To break open an alabaster box and pour out its contents was a lavish act.
When Mary pours perfume on Jesus’ feet, the aroma fills the house. The sensory imagery emphasizes her sacrifice and devotion. Jesus declares that her act will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached, and indeed this has been the case throughout Christian history.
Likewise, Mary Magdalene’s gift prepares Jesus’ body for burial with extravagant spices and ointment. The imagery of the alabaster box evokes the preciousness of Christ.
In addition to the literal significance, the alabaster box has symbolic meaning related to Jesus’ identity and sacrificial death. The box releases its perfume only when broken, just as Christ’s body had to be broken in death before rising again. And like the spilled perfume, Christ’s sacrifice spreads its fragrance across the world.
So in summary, alabaster in the Bible represents:
- Extravagance and luxury
- Devotion and worship
- Preparing Christ for burial
- Sacrifice and spreading gospel fragrance
Other Biblical references
A couple other minor Biblical references to alabaster help round out its significance:
- Esther 1:6 – King Ahasuerus dines with nobility on a mosaic pavement of alabaster and marble, showing luxury.
- Revelation 21:15-21 – John describes the New Jerusalem’s streets as pure gold, like transparent glass. This connects alabaster’s white stone to purity and glory.
- Isaiah 54:11-12 and Revelation 21:21 – Alabaster symbolizes beauty and radiance in the imagery of a heavenly city.
So alabaster represents glory, holiness, purity, and splendor in addition to the themes seen with Mary and Mary Magdalene’s alabaster boxes. The extravagant earthly boxes point toward the glory of heaven and new creation.
Using imagery today
For today’s Christians, alabaster box imagery provides a rich metaphor for worship, sacrifice, and devotion:
- Worship – We can give Jesus our most extravagant praise and adoration, rather than holding back.
- Sacrifice – Following Christ requires sacrificial devotion that pours itself out like perfume.
- Gospel mission – Just as the house filled with the perfume’s aroma, our lives should spread the gospel’s fragrance.
- Preparation – Our acts of devotion prepare Jesus’ way just like the women preparing his body.
- Beauty – Our offerings, however small, become precious beauty to God when given in love.
There are many other creative ways we can apply this rich Biblical imagery. The alabaster box reminds us to pour out the most precious parts of ourselves before Jesus in extravagant devotion and beautiful worship.
The woman’s lavish gift of perfume softened Jesus’ heart as he approached the agonies of the cross. Our gifts to Christ, however humble, when given in love can also bless and comfort him. The fragrance of our devotion spreads the gospel through our lives. Ultimately, our brokenness releases the precious aroma of Christ within us.
So may we cling to him like Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb, lavishly pour out our praise like the woman with the alabaster flask, and spread the gospel fragrance through our everyday lives. As we break open our lives, may the spilled perfume of Christ’s love fill the world.
