The Anointing in Bethany

⁶ Now when Jesus was [back] in Bethany, at the home of ^[a]Simon the leper,^{(A) 7} a ^[b]woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive ^[c]perfume and she poured it on Jesus’ head as He reclined at the table. ⁸ But when the ^[d]disciples saw it they were indignant and angry, saying, “Why all this waste [of money]? ⁹ For this perfume might have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” ¹⁰ But Jesus, aware [of the malice] of this [remark], said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing to Me. ¹¹ For you always have the poor with you; but you will not always have Me.^{(B) 12} When she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. ¹³ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].”

Judas’ Bargain

¹⁴ Then one of the twelve [disciples], who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” And they weighed out ^[e]thirty pieces of silver.^{(C) 16} And from that moment Judas began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.^(D)

³ While He was in Bethany [as a guest] at the home of ^[a]Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, a ^[b]woman came with an alabaster vial of very costly and precious perfume of pure ^[c]nard; and she broke the vial and poured the perfume over His head. ⁴ But there were ^[d]some who were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? ⁵ For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii [a laborer’s wages for almost a year], and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ⁶ But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why are you bothering her and causing trouble? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me. ⁷ For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do something good to them; but you will not always have Me.^{(A) 8} She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. ⁹ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever the good news [regarding salvation] is proclaimed throughout the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples], went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.^{(B) 11} When they heard this they were delighted, and promised to give him money. And he began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.

³ Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples]. ⁴ And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him and hand Him over to them. ⁵ They were delighted and agreed with him to give him money. ⁶ So he consented, and began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus to them [at a time when He was] separated from the crowd [because the people might riot or stop them from seizing Him].