1
Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man he had raised from death.
2
They prepared a dinner for him there, which Martha helped serve; Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at the table with Jesus.
3
Then Mary took a whole pint of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard, poured it on Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The sweet smell of the perfume filled the whole house. 1
4
One of Jesus' disciples, Judas Iscariot - the one who was going to betray him - said,
5
"Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?"
6
He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would help himself from it.
7
But Jesus said, "Leave her alone! Let her keep what she has for the day of my burial.
8
You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me." 2