Jesus’ Anointing

12:1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom he1 had raised from the dead. 12:2 So they prepared a dinner for Jesus2 there. Martha3 was serving, and Lazarus was among those present at the table4 with him. 12:3 Then Mary took three quarters of a pound5 of expensive aromatic oil from pure nard6 and anointed the feet of Jesus. She7 then wiped his feet dry with her hair. (Now the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfumed oil.)8 12:4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was going to betray him)9 said, 12:5 “Why wasn’t this oil sold for three hundred silver coins10 and the money11 given to the poor?” 12:6 (Now Judas12 said this not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money box,13 he used to steal what was put into it.)14 12:7 So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept it for the day of my burial.15 12:8 For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me!”16

12:9 Now a large crowd of Judeans17 learned18 that Jesus19 was there, and so they came not only because of him20 but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. 12:10 So the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus too,21 12:11 for on account of him many of the Jewish people from Jerusalem22 were going away and believing in Jesus.