What is the significance that myrrh is mentioned in both Matthew 2:11 and John 19:39?

tonychanyt

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Myrrh resin has been used throughout history in medicine, perfumery, and incense.
Myrrh had healing value.

Myrrh was used by the ancient Egyptians, along with natron, for the embalming of mummies.
Also, Myrrh was an ingredient in embalming.

At the beginning of Jesus' life in Matthew 2:

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The magi gave myrrh to symbolize Jesus as the healer.

At the end of Jesus' life in John 19:

39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
 

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Myrrh had healing value.


Also, Myrrh was an ingredient in embalming.

At the beginning of Jesus' life in Matthew 2:


The magi gave myrrh to symbolize Jesus as the healer.

At the end of Jesus' life in John 19:
The Catholic church uses incense as well, though not for every service.
 
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awstar

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John 12:1-7
1. Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
4. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
5. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6. This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
7. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.


It seems the significance of the gift of myrrh from the magi was similar to the gift of spikenard from Mary in that it represented the day of Christ’s burial. The ointment seems to be a way of keeping the corpse from stinking — as Lazarus’ body was said to have stunk. As it turns out, only a few are not offended by the stink of Christ’s burial — all outsiders: Mary (who was probably Mary Magdalene), the magi from the east, and Nicodemus — the cover of night visiting Pharisee. I wonder if Jesus was trolling Judas Iscariot when He said this.
 
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