John 12:1-11
Chapter 12
Annoiting at Bethany
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus, the dead man, to life.They gave a dinner for him, and while Martha waited on them, Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus.
Mary took a pound of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair. The house was filled with the perfume’s fragrance.
Judas Iscariot—the disciple who was to betray Jesus—remarked:
“This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor.”
Judas, indeed, had no concern for the poor; he was a thief, and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to the funds.
But Jesus spoke up:
“Leave her alone. Was she not keeping it for the day of my burial?
The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me.”
Many Jews heard that Jesus was there and they came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
So the chief priests thought about killing Lazarus as well,
for many of the Jews were deserting because of him and believing in Jesus.