Matthew 26:13

**Matthew 26:13**

Jesus says that wherever the gospel is preached, the act of the woman will be memorialized. This axiom places her in the annals of gospel history as a model for devotion and witness. The broader context involves Jesus’ impending passion and the spread of the gospel beyond Israel to all nations. The act is not merely personal devotion; it becomes emblematic—an enduring sign that faithful response to Jesus merits remembrance and emulation. The verse anticipates the church’s mission to proclaim and remember Jesus’ work, including acts of reverence that foreshadow or contribute to the gospel’s reach. In Jewish cultural memory, memorialization through naming and story was a powerful way to teach future generations about divine acts and pledges.

The verse underlines the communal and eternal dimension of acts of worship. It celebrates costly devotion as an evangelistic witness that transcends time and place. Theologically, it affirms the church’s practice of remembering Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection through sermons, sacraments, and storytelling. It also elevates ordinary acts of faith to a level of significance that shapes identity—both for the local community and the global church.

How can you embody this today? Find ways to memorialize acts that draw attention to Jesus’ saving work. Examples: write or share testimonies about moments when faith met sacrifice; support ministries that carry the gospel into new cultures or languages; participate in communion with a deeper awareness of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Even small acts—hospitality to someone isolated, a generous gift to a mission, or a bold invitation to hear the gospel—can become enduring memorials if they point to Christ. The key is to cultivate memory in your community that elevates Jesus and motivates ongoing mission.

Cross-References: Luke 7:47-48; Acts 13:31; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:15; Hebrews 13:7