Readings for Lent and Easter

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) 2} 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. ³ 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.

⁴ Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot^(F) (who was about to betray Him), said, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii^[b](G) and given to the poor?” ⁶ 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.

⁷ Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial.^(I)