Host in Bethany
Simon the Leper
A resident of Bethany, distinct from Simon Peter and Simon the Pharisee, in whose home a woman anointed Jesus with expensive perfume shortly before his crucifixion.
Life and work
Matthew and Mark both record that while Jesus was in Bethany, "at the home of Simon the Leper," a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and poured it on his head, prompting some of those present to object at the waste — to which Jesus responded that she had anointed him in preparation for his burial (Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9). The Gospels say nothing else about Simon directly; his epithet, "the Leper," most plausibly reflects a past healing, since active leprosy would have made hosting a dinner in his home impossible under Jewish purity law, though the Gospels don't state that Jesus was the one who healed him.
- Occupation
- Unstated; identified by his former condition
- Places
- Bethany
Extra-biblical evidence
No extra-biblical record of Simon the Leper survives; he should not be confused with Simon Peter or with Simon the Pharisee, who hosts a similar anointing scene in Luke's Gospel.
Scripture references
- Matthew 26:6-13 — Hosts Jesus in Bethany during the anointing
- Mark 14:3-9 — Parallel account of the anointing at his house
Capstone Bible is a free interactive study app — a map of every place in this library, a zoomable timeline of biblical and church history, the Bible text with every name in it linked to its article, reading plans and personal notes.
Open Capstone Bible