The Anointing at Bethany

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany(A) where Lazarus[a] was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead.(B) So(C) they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha(D) was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil—pure and expensive nard—anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair.(E) So the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

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

Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial.(I) For you always have the poor with you,(J) but you do not always have Me.”

The Decision to Kill Lazarus

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.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. John 12:1 Other mss read Lazarus who died
  2. John 12:5 This amount was about a year’s wages for a common worker.

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