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Unción de Jesús en Betania (Mt 26,6-13; Mc 14,3-9)

12 Seis días antes de la Pascua llegó Jesús a Betania, donde vivía Lázaro, el mismo a quien había resucitado de entre los muertos. Ofrecieron allí una cena en honor de Jesús. Marta servía la mesa y Lázaro era uno de los comensales. María tomó un frasco de perfume muy caro —casi medio litro de nardo puro— y lo derramó sobre los pies de Jesús; después los secó con sus cabellos. La casa entera se llenó de la fragancia de aquel perfume.

Entonces Judas Iscariote, el discípulo que iba a traicionar a Jesús, se quejó diciendo:

— Ese perfume ha debido costar el equivalente al jornal de todo un año. ¿Por qué no se ha vendido y se ha repartido el importe entre los pobres?

En realidad, a él los pobres lo traían sin cuidado; dijo esto porque era ladrón y, como tenía a su cargo la bolsa del dinero, robaba de lo que depositaban en ella. Jesús le dijo:

— ¡Déjala en paz! Esto lo tenía guardado con miras a mi sepultura. Además, a los pobres los tendréis siempre con vosotros; a mí en cambio, no siempre me tendréis.

También Lázaro debe morir

Un gran número de judíos se enteró de que Jesús estaba en Betania, y fueron allá, no sólo atraídos por Jesús, sino también para ver a Lázaro, a quien Jesús había resucitado. 10 Los jefes de los sacerdotes tomaron entonces la decisión de eliminar también a Lázaro, 11 pues, por su causa, muchos judíos se alejaban de ellos y creían en Jesús.

Entrada triunfal en Jerusalén (Mt 21,1-11; Mc 11,1-11; Lc 19,28-40)

12 Al día siguiente, muchos de los que habían acudido a la fiesta, al enterarse de que Jesús se acercaba a Jerusalén, 13 cortaron ramos de palmera y salieron a su encuentro gritando:

— ¡Viva! ¡Bendito el que viene en nombre del Señor! ¡Bendito sea el rey de Israel!

14 Jesús encontró a mano un asno y montó sobre él. Así lo había predicho la Escritura:

15 No temas, Jerusalén;
mira, tu rey viene a ti
montado sobre un asno.

16 Sus discípulos no entendieron entonces el significado de este gesto; solamente después, cuando Jesús fue glorificado, recordaron que aquello que habían hecho con Jesús ya estaba escrito de antemano sobre él. 17 Y la gente que estaba con él cuando resucitó a Lázaro y mandó que saliera del sepulcro, contaba también lo que había visto. 18 Así que una multitud, impresionada por el relato del milagro, salió en masa al encuentro de Jesús. 19 En vista de ello, los fariseos comentaban entre sí:

— Ya veis que no conseguimos nada; todo el mundo lo sigue.

Unos griegos quieren ver a Jesús

20 Entre los que habían llegado a Jerusalén para dar culto a Dios con ocasión de la fiesta, se encontraban algunos griegos. 21 Estos se acercaron a Felipe, el de Betsaida de Galilea, y le dijeron:

— Señor, quisiéramos ver a Jesús.

22 Felipe se lo dijo a Andrés, y los dos juntos se lo notificaron a Jesús. 23 Jesús les dijo:

— Ha llegado la hora en que el Hijo del hombre va a ser glorificado. 24 Os aseguro que si un grano de trigo no cae en tierra y muere, seguirá siendo un único grano. Pero si muere, producirá fruto abundante. 25 Quien vive preocupado solamente por su vida, terminará por perderla; en cambio, quien no se apegue a ella en este mundo, la conservará para la vida eterna. 26 Si alguien quiere servirme, que me siga. Correrá la misma suerte que yo. Y todo el que me sirva será honrado por mi Padre.

Jesús habla de su muerte

27 Me encuentro ahora profundamente turbado; pero ¿acaso pediré al Padre que me libre de este trance? ¡Si precisamente he venido para vivir esta hora! 28 Padre, glorifica tu nombre.

Entonces se oyó una voz venida del cielo:

— Ya lo he glorificado y volveré a glorificarlo.

29 De la multitud que estaba allí presente y que oyó la voz, unos pensaban que había sido un trueno, y otros, que le había hablado un ángel. 30 Jesús aclaró:

— Esa voz no hablaba para mí, sino para que la oyerais vosotros. 31 Es ahora cuando este mundo va a ser condenado; es ahora cuando el que tiraniza a este mundo va a ser vencido. 32 Y cuando yo haya sido elevado sobre la tierra, atraeré a todos hacia mí.

33 Con esta afirmación, Jesús quiso dar a entender la forma de muerte que le esperaba. 34 La gente replicó:

— Nuestra ley nos enseña que el Mesías no morirá nunca. ¿Cómo dices tú que el Hijo del hombre tiene que ser elevado sobre la tierra? ¿Quién es ese Hijo del hombre?

35 Jesús les respondió:

— Todavía está la luz entre vosotros, pero no por mucho tiempo. Mientras tenéis luz, caminad para que no os sorprendan las tinieblas. Porque el que camina en la oscuridad no sabe a dónde se dirige. 36 Mientras tenéis luz, creed en ella para que la luz oriente vuestra vida.

Después de decir esto, Jesús se retiró, escondiéndose de ellos.

Jesús, signo de contradicción

37 A pesar de haber visto con sus propios ojos los grandes milagros que Jesús había hecho, no creían en él. 38 Así se cumplió lo dicho por el profeta Isaías:

Señor, ¿quién ha creído nuestro mensaje?
¿A quién ha sido manifestado el poder del Señor?

39 El mismo Isaías había indicado la razón de su falta de fe:

40 Dios ha oscurecido sus ojos
y endurecido su corazón,
de tal manera que sus ojos no ven
y su inteligencia no comprende;
así que no se vuelven a mí
para que yo los cure.

41 Isaías dijo esto porque había visto la gloria de Jesús, y por eso hablaba de él.

42 A pesar de todo, fueron muchos, incluso entre los jefes judíos, los que creyeron en Jesús. Pero no se atrevían a manifestarlo públicamente, porque temían que los fariseos los expulsaran de la sinagoga. 43 Apreciaban más tener una buena reputación ante la gente, que tenerla ante Dios.

Juzgados por el mensaje de Jesús

44 Jesús, entonces, proclamó:

— El que cree en mí, no solamente cree en mí, sino también en el que me ha enviado; 45 y al verme a mí, ve también al que me ha enviado. 46 Yo soy luz y he venido al mundo para que todo el que cree en mí no siga en las tinieblas. 47 No seré yo quien condene al que escuche mis palabras y no haga caso de ellas, porque yo no he venido para condenar al mundo, sino para salvarlo. 48 Quien me rechaza y no acepta mis palabras tiene ya quien lo juzgue: mi propio mensaje lo condenará en el último día. 49 Porque yo no hablo por mi cuenta; el Padre, que me ha enviado, es quien me ha ordenado lo que debo decir y enseñar. 50 Yo sé que sus mandamientos contienen vida eterna. Por eso, yo enseño lo que me ha dicho el Padre.

12 2 As Christ is at supper with Lazarus, 3 Mary anointeth his feet. 5 Judas findeth fault with her. 7 Christ defendeth her. 10 The Priests would put Lazarus to death. 12 As Christ cometh to Jerusalem. 18 The people meet him. 22 The Greeks desire to see him. 42 The chief rulers that believe in him, but for fear do not confess him,  44 he exhorteth to faith.

Then (A)Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who died, whom he had raised from the dead.

There they made him a supper, and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of Spikenard very costly, and anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the savor of the ointment.

Then said one of his disciples, even Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him:

[a]Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

Now he said thus, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and (B)had the bag, and bore that which was given.

[b]Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying she kept it.

For the poor always ye have with you, but me ye shall not have always.

[c]Then much people of the Jews knew that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 The high Priests therefore consulted, that they might put Lazarus to death also,

11 because that for his sake many of the Jews went away, and believed in Jesus.

12 (C)On the morrow a great multitude that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus should come to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

14 And Jesus found a young ass, and sat thereon, as it is written,

15 (D)Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh sitting on an ass’s colt.

16 But his disciples understood not these things at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they, that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.

17 The people therefore that was with him, bare witness that he called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from the dead.

18 Therefore met him the people also, because they heard that he had done this miracle.

19 [d]And the Pharisees said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world goeth after him.

20 ¶ Now there were certain Greeks among them that [e]came up to worship at the feast.

21 And they came to Philip, which was of Bethsaida in Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see that Jesus.

22 Philip came and told Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man must be glorified.

24 [f]Verily, verily I say unto you, Except the wheat corn fall into the ground and [g]die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

25 (E)He that loveth his life, shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.

26 (F)If any man serve me, let him follow me: for where I am, there shall my servant be: and if any man serve me, him will my father honor.

27 [h]Now is my soul troubled: and what shall I say? Father, save me from this [i]hour: but therefore came I unto this hour.

28 Father, [j]glorify thy Name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

29 Then said the people that stood by, and heard, that it was a thunder: others said, An Angel spake to him.

30 [k]Jesus answered, and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 (G)And I, if I were [l]lift up from the earth, will draw [m]all men unto me.

33 Now this said he, signifying what death he should die.

34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the (H)Law, that that Christ bideth forever: and how sayest thou, that that Son of man must be lift up? Who is that Son of man?

35 [n]Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is (I)the light with you: walk while ye have that light, lest the darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in the dark, knoweth not whither he goeth.

36 While ye have that light, believe in that light, that ye may be the [o]children of the light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and hid himself from them.

37 [p]And though he had done so many miracles before them, yet believed they not on him,

38 That the saying of Isaiah the Prophet might be fulfilled, that he said, (J)Lord, who believed our report? and to whom is the [q]arm of the Lord revealed?

39 Therefore could they not believe, because that Isaiah saith again,

40 (K)He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

41 These things said Isaiah when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

42 [r]Nevertheless, even among the chief rulers, many believed in him: but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be cast out of the Synagogue.

43 (L)For they loved the praise of men, more than the praise of God.

44 [s]And Jesus cried, and said, He that believeth in me, believeth [t]not in me, but in him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me.

46 I (M)am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in me, should not abide in darkness.

47 (N)And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 He that refuseth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: (O)the word that I have spoken, it shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself: but the father which sent me, he gave me a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: the things therefore that I speak, I speak them so as the Father said unto me.

Footnotes

  1. John 12:5 An horrible example in Judas of a mind blinded with covetousness, and yet pretending godliness.
  2. John 12:7 This Extraordinary anointing, which was for a sign, is so allowed of God, that he witnesseth how he will not be worshipped with outward pomp, or costly service, but with alms.
  3. John 12:9 When the light of the Gospel showeth itself, some are found to be curious, and others (which left ought) to be open enemies: others in a rage honor him, whom they will straightway fall from: and very few do so reverently receive him as they ought: Notwithstanding Christ beginneth his spiritual kingdom in the midst of his enemies.
  4. John 12:19 Even they which go about to oppress Christ, are made instruments of his glory.
  5. John 12:20 After the solemn custom: the Greeks were first so called by the name of the country of Greece, where they dwelt: but afterward, all that were not of the Jew’s religion, but worshipped false gods, and were also called Heathens, were called by this name.
  6. John 12:24 The death of Christ is as it were a sowing, which seemeth to be a dying to the corn, but indeed is the cause of a far greater harvest: and such as is the condition of the head, so shall it be of the members.
  7. John 12:24 A wheat corn dieth when it is changed by virtue of the ground, and becometh a root of a fruitful blade.
  8. John 12:27 Whilst Christ went about to suffer all the punishment which is due to our sins, and whilst his divinity did not yet show his might and power so far as this satisfaction might thoroughly wrought, now when he is stricken with the great fear of the curse of God, he crieth out and prayeth , and desireth to be released: yet notwithstanding he preferreth the will and glory of his Father before all things, whose obedience the Father alloweth even from heaven.
  9. John 12:27 To wit, of death that is now at hand.
  10. John 12:28 So then the Father’s glory is Christ’s glory.
  11. John 12:30 Christ foretelleth to the deaf, the manner of his death, the overcoming of the devil and the world, and in conclusion his triumph.
  12. John 12:32 Christ used a word, which hath a double meaning: for it signifieth either to lift up, or to rid out of the way, for his meaning was to put them in mind of his death, but the Jews seem to take it another way.
  13. John 12:32 Chrysostom and Theophylact refer this word, All, to all nations: that is, not to the Jews only.
  14. John 12:35 Unmeasurable is the mercy of God, but an horrible judgment followed, if it be contemned.
  15. John 12:36 That is, partakers of light.
  16. John 12:37 Faith is not of nature, but of grace.
  17. John 12:38 The arm of the Lord, is the Gospel, which is the power of God to salvation to all that believe: And therefore the arm of the Lord is not revealed to them, whose hearts the Lord hath not opened.
  18. John 12:42 Such as believe, are not only few in number, if they be compared with the unbelievers, but also the most of those few (yea and that especially the chiefest) do fear men more than God.
  19. John 12:44 The sum of the Gospel, and therefore of salvation, which Christ witnessed in the midst of Jerusalem, by his crying out, is this: to rest upon Christ through faith, as the only Savior appointed and given us of the Father.
  20. John 12:44 This word Not, doth not take any whit of this from Christ which is here spoken of, but is in way of correction rather, as if he said, He that believeth in me, doth not so much believe in me, as in him that sent me. So is it in Mark 9:37.

Jesus Anointed at Bethany(A)

12 Six days before the Passover,(B) Jesus came to Bethany,(C) where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served,(D) while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume;(E) she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.(F) And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

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

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.(I) You will always have the poor among you,[c](J) but you will not always have me.”

Meanwhile 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.(K) 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him(L) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.(M)

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King(N)

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches(O) and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna![d]

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[e](P)

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”(Q)

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
    see, your king is coming,
    seated on a donkey’s colt.”[f](R)

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this.(S) Only after Jesus was glorified(T) did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him(U) when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign,(V) went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”(W)

Jesus Predicts His Death

20 Now there were some Greeks(X) among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida(Y) in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour(Z) has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.(AA) 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,(AB) it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it(AC) for eternal life.(AD) 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.(AE) My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled,(AF) and what shall I say? ‘Father,(AG) save me from this hour’?(AH) No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven,(AI) “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit,(AJ) not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world;(AK) now the prince of this world(AL) will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[g] from the earth,(AM) will draw all people to myself.”(AN) 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.(AO)

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law(AP) that the Messiah will remain forever,(AQ) so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man(AR) must be lifted up’?(AS) Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light(AT) just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light,(AU) before darkness overtakes you.(AV) Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”(AW) When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.(AX)

Belief and Unbelief Among the Jews

37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs(AY) in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”[h](AZ)

39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
    nor understand with their hearts,
    nor turn—and I would heal them.”[i](BA)

41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory(BB) and spoke about him.(BC)

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.(BD) But because of the Pharisees(BE) they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;(BF) 43 for they loved human praise(BG) more than praise from God.(BH)

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.(BI) 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.(BJ) 46 I have come into the world as a light,(BK) so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.(BL) 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them(BM) at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me(BN) to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life.(BO) So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”(BP)

Footnotes

  1. John 12:3 Or about 0.5 liter
  2. John 12:5 Greek three hundred denarii
  3. John 12:8 See Deut. 15:11.
  4. John 12:13 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise
  5. John 12:13 Psalm 118:25,26
  6. John 12:15 Zech. 9:9
  7. John 12:32 The Greek for lifted up also means exalted.
  8. John 12:38 Isaiah 53:1
  9. John 12:40 Isaiah 6:10