Simon the Leper

Overview

• Testament: New
• Role: Host of Jesus at Bethany
• Family: Unknown
• Key Books: Matthew, Mark

Biography

Simon the Leper was a man of Bethany in whose house Jesus sat at meat shortly before the passion. There a woman came with an alabaster box of very precious ointment and poured it on Jesus’ head, an act some present judged wasteful. Jesus rebuked them and commended her, declaring she had wrought a good work upon Him and anointed His body beforehand for the burying, and that her deed would be told as a memorial wherever the gospel is preached.

Key Events

• The anointing at Bethany — a woman pours costly ointment on Jesus in Simon’s house (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9).

Relationships

• Jesus Christ — whom he hosted at his table in Bethany

Important Verses

• Matthew 26:6 — “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper.”
• Mark 14:8 — “She is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.”

Cross-References

• Mentioned in: Matthew, Mark

Notes

His house in Bethany became the setting for one of the tenderest devotions shown to Christ, forever linked to His coming death and burial.