John 12:1-8

1 Jesus, however, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom He had raised from the dead.

2 So they gave a dinner there in honour of Jesus, at which Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of the guests who were with Him.

3 Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of pure spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and wiped His feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 Then said Judas (the Iscariot, one of the Twelve--the one who afterwards betrayed Jesus),

5 "Why was not that perfume sold for 300 shillings and the money given to the poor?"

6 The reason he said this was not that he cared for the poor, but that he was a thief, and that being in charge of the money-box, he used to steal what was put into it.

7 But Jesus interposed. "Do not blame her," He said, "allow her to have kept it for the time of my preparation for burial.

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