John 12:3

3 Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of true nard precious [Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment spikenard, or true nard, precious], and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hairs; and the house was full-filled with the savour of the ointment.

John 12:3 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:3

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard very costly,
&c.] Worth three hundred pence, according to Judas's estimation of it. This Mary was the other sister of Lazarus; (See Gill on Matthew 26:7), (See Gill on Mark 14:3), concerning the nature and value of this ointment:

and anointed the feet of Jesus;
as he lay upon the bed or couch, at supper:

and wiped his feet with her hair; (See Gill on Luke 7:38).

And the house was filled with the odour of the ointment;
see ( Song of Solomon 1:3 Song of Solomon 1:12 ) ; ointment of spikenard was very odoriferous: this may be an emblem of the sweet savour of Christ, in the ministration of the Gospel, throughout the whole world.

John 12:3 In-Context

1 Therefore Jesus before six days of pask came to Bethany, where Lazarus had been dead [where Lazarus was dead], whom Jesus raised.

2 And they made to him a supper there, and Martha ministered to him; and Lazarus was one of the men that sat at the meat with him.

3 Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of true nard precious [Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment spikenard, or true nard, precious], and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hairs; and the house was full-filled with the savour of the ointment.

4 Therefore Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that was to betray him, said,

5 Why is not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to poor men [and given to needy men]?