Biblical Mentions of Aloes
Aloes appear in Scripture as valuable aromatic substances, mentioned in contexts of love, worship, and burial preparation. In the Song of Solomon, aloes are listed among precious spices that create a fragrant garden, representing the beauty and sweetness of devoted love. The beloved's garden flows with "pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices" (Song of Solomon 4:13-14).
Most significantly, aloes appear in the Gospel of John during Christ's burial preparation. John 19:39 tells us that "Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight." This enormous quantity—approximately 75 pounds—represented an exceptionally costly offering, demonstrating Nicodemus's deep reverence for Jesus and his growing faith despite his earlier secretive approach to following Christ.
Symbolism of Costly Devotion
The use of aloes in Scripture consistently points to acts of honor, love, and costly devotion. These aromatic substances were not common household items but precious commodities that required significant sacrifice to obtain. When Nicodemus brought such an abundance of myrrh and aloes for Jesus's burial, he was making a public declaration of Christ's worth and his own commitment, regardless of potential social or religious consequences.
The inclusion of aloes in the Song of Solomon's description of love's garden also speaks to the precious nature of true devotion. Just as aloes provided sweet fragrance and were highly valued, our love for Christ and for one another should be characterized by sacrifice, intentionality, and the sweet aroma of genuine commitment.
Practical Application for Believers
The biblical references to aloes challenge us to examine the costliness of our own devotion to Christ. Like Nicodemus, we're called to move beyond secretive or convenient faith to public, sacrificial worship. Our offerings to the Lord—whether of time, resources, or service—should reflect Christ's immeasurable worth. The hundred pounds of spices used for Jesus's burial reminds us that no gift is too precious when offered to honor our Savior.
Furthermore, just as aloes provided fragrance that honored the dead and sweetened the air, our lives should emit the sweet aroma of Christ's love to those around us. Second Corinthians 2:15 reminds us that "we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ," and like the costly aloes, our devotion should create a lasting, beautiful fragrance in our communities and relationships.
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. (John 19:39)