John 12:1–11

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

12:1–8Ref—Mt 26:6–13; Mk 14:3–9; Lk 7:37–39

12Six days before the Passover,^h Jesus came to Bethany,ⁱ where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ²Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served,^j while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. ³Then Mary took about a pint^a of pure nard, an expensive perfume;^k she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.^l And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

⁴But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,^m objected, ⁵“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.^b” ⁶He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag,ⁿ he used to help himself to what was put into it.

⁷“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.^{o 8}You will always have the poor among you,^cp but you will not always have me.”

⁹Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.^{q 10}So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, ¹¹for on account of him^r many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.^s