John 12:1-8

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

3 Then Mary took about a pint^[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,

5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.^[b] ”

6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

8 You will always have the poor among you,^[c] but you will not always have me.”

Cross References

• 1. S John 11:55
• 2. S Matthew 21:17
• 3. Luke 10:38-42
• 4. Mark 14:3
• 5. John 11:2
• 6. S Matthew 10:4
• 7. John 13:29
• 8. John 19:40
• 9. Deuteronomy 15:11

Footnotes

• [a] Or about 0.5 liter
• [b] Greek "three hundred denarii"
• [c] See Deut. 15:11.