Matthew 26:12

πρὸς τὸ ἐνταφ., to prepare for burial by embalming; so near is my death, though ye thought not of it: effect of the woman's act, not her conscious purpose. The Syriac version introduces a quasi. She meant nothing but to show her love, quickened possibly by instinctive foreboding of ill. But an act done in that spirit was the best embalming of Christ's body, or rather of His act in dying, for the two acts were kindred. Hence naturally the solemn declaration following, an essential part of the story, of indubitable authenticity.