Why Did Mary Wipe Her Hair on Jesus’ Feet?

Hope (age 11) asked

“Why did Mary wipe her hair on Jesus’ feet?”

Great question, Hope.

The account of Mary wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair comes from John 12:1–8. This took place during a dinner with Mary, her brother Lazarus, her sister Martha, and others.

In Jesus’ time, there were no cars or paved roads to travel on. People wore sandals on their feet and walked on dirt paths that were probably very dusty or muddy. Think about how dirty your feet can get when you walk outside barefoot or with sandals! In those days, only servants washed people’s feet before a meal.

And in those days, a woman’s hair was considered her glory (something she would be admired for, and something a modest Jewish woman would keep tied up in public and, if married, covered) (1 Corinthians 11:15). Even though Jesus’ feet were likely washed earlier as part of standard hospitality, Mary was showing a great act of humility when she used her hair as a towel to wipe Jesus’ feet after pouring her expensive perfume on them. She did not care what other people thought of her in that moment. She was showing how deeply she loved and worshipped Jesus. Mary is contrasted with Jesus’ disciple Judas. He was critical of her using so much expensive ointment, but the book of John shows that Judas was a hypocrite and thief.

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