The anointing at Bethany is rich in acted symbolism and dramatic theology. The pointers are directed to the momentous proposition that Jesus went to his death as God’s chosen agent, the Messiah of Israel. We can focus on the woman, to start with, (a) Her action is well-described and in some detail. She came to the meal table and broke the flask of precious perfume over his head. This act looks clearly like an anointing of the Israelite (messianic) king