Mary Anoints Jesus

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.

Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,

“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

Judas 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 take from what was put into it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.