Matthew 26:6
“Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,”
What does Matthew 26:6 mean?
Jesus was visiting the home of a man called Simon, who had leprosy. In that culture, leprosy was a deeply isolating disease—people with it were often cast out from their communities and families. The fact that Jesus was dining at Simon's table, treating him as a worthy host and guest, was itself an act of profound dignity and healing. This moment sets the stage for what comes next in the story: a woman anointing Jesus' feet, an act of worship that would spark judgment from the disciples. The whole scene reminds us that Jesus consistently moved toward the rejected and broken, seeing their worth when the world saw only their condition.