A Costly Gift and a Divided Crowd (John 12:1-11)
Have you ever given someone a gift that really cost you something—not just money, but time, effort, or even your pride? In John 12:1–11, we see a beautiful act of love from a woman named Mary. Her gift to Jesus wasn’t practical. It didn’t make sense to some people. But to Jesus, it was deeply meaningful.
This story shows us what real worship looks like—and how different people respond when Jesus is at the center of attention.
Let’s take a closer look.
A Dinner with Jesus—and a Bold Act of Love
Jesus is in Bethany, a small town where His friend Lazarus lived. Just days earlier, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. Now, a dinner is being held in His honor.
At the dinner, we see familiar faces:
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Martha is serving, as usual.
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Lazarus is reclining at the table with Jesus.
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And Mary, Lazarus’ sister, does something surprising.
She takes a jar of very expensive perfume—worth about a year’s wages—and pours it on Jesus’ feet. Then, she wipes His feet with her hair.
The entire house is filled with the sweet smell of the perfume. It’s a moment of pure love and devotion. Mary didn’t hold anything back.
A Complainer with Hidden Motives
Not everyone was impressed.
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, speaks up:
“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?”
At first, this might sound like a good point. Helping the poor is important. But the Bible tells us something else—Judas didn’t really care about the poor. He was the group’s treasurer, and he often stole money for himself.
Judas used “concern for others” as a cover for his selfishness. It’s a reminder that not all criticism is honest—and that motives matter.
Jesus Defends Mary
Jesus quickly responds to Judas:
“Leave her alone… It was meant that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.”
Mary may not have known it, but her act of worship pointed to Jesus’ coming death. In just a few days, He would be crucified. Her gift was perfectly timed.
Then Jesus adds:
“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
He’s not saying we shouldn’t care for the poor. He’s saying that this moment mattered. Mary recognized it—and she did the right thing.
Belief and Opposition Grow
As word spread that Jesus was in Bethany, large crowds came—not just to see Him, but also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus brought back from the dead.
The religious leaders weren’t happy. They already wanted to kill Jesus. Now they wanted to kill Lazarus too—because too many people were believing in Jesus because of him.
Think about that: A miracle had taken place, but instead of believing, they tried to cover it up. Pride and fear can blind people to the truth.
What This Means for Us Today
This story is short, but it teaches some powerful lessons:
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Real worship costs something.
Mary gave Jesus something precious because she loved Him. Our worship might cost us time, comfort, money, or approval from others—but it’s worth it. -
God sees our hearts.
Judas looked like he cared, but he didn’t. Mary looked wasteful, but she was honoring God. Jesus knows the difference. -
There’s a time to act.
Mary didn’t wait. She gave her gift when it mattered most. Sometimes we miss special moments because we hesitate. Don’t wait to show love or to worship God. -
Not everyone will celebrate with you.
Lazarus became a target because his life pointed to Jesus. Following Jesus might bring opposition—but He’s worth it.
Final Thoughts
In John 12:1–11, we see two kinds of people:
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Mary, who gave her best to Jesus.
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Judas, who looked good on the outside but had selfish motives.
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And religious leaders, who rejected the truth even when it was right in front of them.
So here’s the question:
Which kind of person will you be?
Will you give Jesus your best, like Mary? Will you be bold in your worship, even if others don’t understand? Will your life point others to Him?
Let’s not hold anything back. Like Mary, let’s pour out our hearts to the One who gave everything for us.
Reflection Question:
What is something valuable in your life that you can offer to Jesus today—your time, your skills, your trust, your attention?
John 12:1-11 (WEB)
12:1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. 3 Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.4 Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, 5 “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.7 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”9 A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.