*John 12:1-11
Six days before Passover, Jesus arrives at Bethany, where Mary anoints his feet with fragrant oil, while Judas protests the waste.
- Setting and Context:
- Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrives in Bethany where Lazarus, recently raised from the dead, lives.
- A dinner is held in Jesus’s honor, with Martha serving and Lazarus among the guests.
- Mary Anoints Jesus:
- Mary takes a pint of expensive perfume made from pure nard and anoints Jesus’s feet.
- She wipes his feet with her hair, and the house is filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
- Criticism from Judas Iscariot:
- Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples who will later betray Jesus, criticizes Mary’s actions, suggesting that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor.
- John notes that Judas didn’t actually care about the poor, but managed the group’s money and would often steal from it.
- Jesus Defends Mary:
- Jesus defends Mary’s actions, instructing Judas to leave her alone.
- He points out that the perfume was intended for his burial and that she is anointing him ahead of time.
- Jesus emphasizes that the poor will always be present, but he will not always be with them.
- Plans to Kill Lazarus:
- A large crowd of Jews learns of Jesus’s presence in Bethany and comes not only to see him but also to see Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead.
- The chief priests plan to kill Lazarus as well because many are believing in Jesus due to Lazarus’s resurrection.
12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
12:3 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.
12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 12:6 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.
12:7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
12:8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew 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.
12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.