In the first-century Greco-Roman world, perfume played a diverse role in social life, encompassing hygiene, cosmetics, medicine, and religious rituals. The significance of smell was revitalized in the 1980s as anthropologists, including Anthony Synnott, shed light on its often unnoticed yet crucial societal functions. Studies in socio-anthropology emphasize smell as a socially constructed phenomenon laden with specific cultural meanings and values.
This proposal seeks to investigate the social implications of perfume within the biblical narrative of a woman anointing Jesus. Through an examination of passages such as Matthew 26:6-12, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-38, and John 12:1-8, alongside Greco-Roman texts, the research aims to contextualize the use of perfume in antiquity. By analyzing the socio-cultural backdrop of perfume application, the study aims to unveil the symbolic significance of scent in constructing social identities.
It is argued that the act of anointing Jesus with perfume served to elevate his social identity within the narrative, highlighting his importance and status. Through a multidisciplinary approach integrating biblical scholarship with socio-anthropological insights, this research aims to offer a nuanced understanding of the role of smell in shaping social dynamics and identities in the ancient world.