Uomini e donne nella prassi discepolare: diaconia e potere nell’unzione di Betania (Gv 12,1-8)

This paper deals with the passage known as The Anointing at Bethany found in the Gospel of John 12:1-8. This pericope has been chosen as a case study to investigate if and, in case, how the gender relations can arise from the practice of diakonia through the dynamics of power. From a methodological point of view, this paper intends to integrate different categories of specific approaches. While the “gender pair” approach brings light on the narratological function of the gender relations, an attentive gaze on Jesus’ interactions with women provides a heuristic perspective to rethink the story of “the Woman Who Anointed Jesus,” specifically the Johannine version of the dinner at Bethany. As regards this point, this paper suggests that the Johannine version has had a huge part in the social memory of the proto-christian groups, and that this version of the story has been preserved and recognised as a story deserving of being transmitted across time for its importance in the communitarian life.