John 12:1–11

The Anointing at Bethany

12 Six days before the * Passover, Jesus came to Bethany a where Lazarus b was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead. c 2 So d they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha e was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil—pure and expensive nard—anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. f So the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot g (who was about to betray Him), said, 5 “Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 * denarii h i and given to the poor?” 6 He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. j He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

7 Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial. k 8 For you always have the poor with you, l but you do not always have Me.”

The Decision to Kill Lazarus

9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned He was there. They came not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus the one He had raised from the dead. m 10 Therefore the * chief priests decided to kill Lazarus also 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them n and believing in Jesus.