John 12:1-11

The Anointing at Bethany

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus^[a] was, the one Jesus had raised from the dead.

2 So they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha 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. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray Him), said,

5 "Why wasn't this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii^[b] and given to the poor?"

6 He didn't say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. 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.

8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me."

The Decision to Kill Lazarus

9 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.

10 Therefore the chief priests decided to also kill Lazarus,

11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them^[c] and believing in Jesus.

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