Commentary on the Four Gospel Books
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
G119 Mary Anoints the Lord Jesus with Fragrant Oil
John 12:1-11

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All New Testament verses quoted in this article are from the English Majority Text Version, and Old Testament verses are from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

John 12:1-11

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

2 Then they made for Him a supper there; and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of those reclining to eat with Him.

3 Then Mary, having taken a pound of very costly pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, who was about to betray Him, said,

5 Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

6 This he said, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to pilfer the things which were placed in it.

7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.

8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

9 Now a large crowd from the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

10 But the chief priests took counsel, that they might also kill Lazarus,

11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and were believing in Jesus.

All four Gospel books record the event of the Lord Jesus being anointed by a woman.

According to the context, Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9 record the same event, which is different from the one recorded in Luke 7:36-50 and also different from the one recorded by the Apostle John that we are studying together in this lesson.

Luke records the event that took place while John the Baptist was still alive, when the Lord Jesus was anointed with fragrant oil on His feet by a woman who wept, in the house of a Pharisee.

Matthew and Mark both record the event two days before the Passover, when the Lord Jesus was anointed with fragrant oil on His head by a woman in the house of Simon, a leper.

John records the event six days before the Passover, when the Lord Jesus was anointed with fragrant oil on His feet by Mary in the house of Lazarus, the one whom the Lord had called back to life.

John 12:1-2

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

2 Then they made for Him a supper there; and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of those reclining to eat with Him.

After a few days of the Lord Jesus staying in the city of Ephraim to avoid the Sanhedrin’s plot to arrest Him, when the time came, He and His disciples returned to the village of Bethany.

“Six days before the Passover” is how John recorded it according to the reckoning of the Israelites under Judaism at that time. The focal point of the Passover was the supper, a few hours after sunset on the evening of the 14th of Nisan, when the whole family ate the roasted lamb of the Passover. The Lord Jesus and His disciples kept the Passover meal exactly in that way. After that supper, the Lord Jesus was arrested during the night of the 14th and crucified at noon of the same day [1].

The Israelites under Judaism at that time ate their meal on the evening of the 15th. That is the reason why the chief priests and the Pharisees did not enter Pilate’s judgment hall on the morning of the 14th. They feared that if they entered, they would be defiled and would not be able to eat their Passover meal on the evening of the 15th.

“Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium, lest they might be defiled, but so that they might eat the Passover.” (John 18:28)

Therefore, in reality, it was not “six days” but five days before the Passover that the Lord Jesus and His disciples returned to the village of Bethany and had supper in the house of Lazarus. The Apostle John recorded it according to the reckoning of the Israelites under Judaism at that time so that when they read it, they would understand which day he meant. According to historical data, that was Friday, the 9th of Nisan in the year 27.

About five days earlier, the Lord Jesus had called Lazarus back to life after he had died and had been buried in the tomb for four days.

Martha was always the one taking care of cooking and serving guests. We learned about her preparing food for the Lord and His disciples in Luke 10:38-42. At that time, Martha was busy serving the meal for the Lord and His disciples, while Mary sat at the Lord’s feet to listen to His teaching. This time also, Martha was busy serving the meal for the Lord and His disciples, but Mary served the Lord by anointing His feet with fragrant oil.

“Those reclining to eat with Him” were likely the Lord’s disciples and a few acquaintances of Lazarus’ family, along with Lazarus himself.

John 12:3

3 Then Mary, having taken a pound of very costly pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

“Nard,” short for “spikenard” (nardostachys jatamansi), is an herbaceous plant that grows in the high mountains of the Himalayas, mainly in Nepal, Bhutan, and the northern mountainous regions of India, at an altitude of 3,000–5,000 meters. The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the dried roots, then filtered and refined to obtain pure spikenard oil. The oil ranges in color from pale yellow to reddish-brown, with a strong fragrance combining earthy and woody notes.

Because it must be harvested from remote high mountain regions with a complex processing method and transported long distances from the Himalayas to the Middle East, spikenard oil is very expensive. It can be said to have been the most valuable of all perfumes at that time. One pound of spikenard oil (about 340 grams) was worth the equivalent of the wage of a year’s labor.

John clearly records that Mary’s spikenard oil was genuine and very precious. This detail indicates that at that time there were also counterfeit spikenard oils. It also shows that Lazarus’ family was quite well-off. When Lazarus died, it is likely that much spikenard oil was used for him. Yet Mary still had a pound in the house to bring out and anoint the Lord Jesus’ feet.

Based on the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in verse 7, we can understand that the Spirit had inspired Mary to take the fragrant oil and anoint the Lord Jesus’ feet. Mary may not have fully understood why she was doing this; she only knew that she wanted to do it out of love and reverence for the Lord. Perhaps she wanted to express her gratitude to the Lord for raising her brother back to life a few days earlier. Yet, in God’s plan, Mary had been prepared by Him for the act of anointing the Lord Jesus’ feet before He was crucified on the cross.

At that time, guests visiting a home were usually expected to have their feet washed to remove the dust of the road, especially before sitting at the table for meals. In wealthy households, servants were responsible for washing the guests’ feet, while in poorer homes without servants, the host would wash the guests’ feet. Mary’s act of anointing the Lord Jesus’ feet with precious oil and then wiping them with her hair was like washing the Lord’s feet. Her action demonstrated both humility and a willingness to serve, as well as deep love, reverence, and gratitude toward the Lord.

A woman’s hair is her glory (1 Corinthians 11:15). Mary used her glory to serve the Lord. She used her own beauty to honor the Lord. She offered what was very precious to her, spikenard oil, and what was most honorable to her, her hair, to serve the Lord.

The woman who anointed the Lord Jesus with fragrant oil two days before the Passover anointed His head. This was an act of honoring Him as the Christ, the One whom the God had entrusted with all three offices: prophet, high priest, and king. These offices were often inaugurated by anointing with olive oil, pouring it over the head so that it flowed down the body. But pouring fragrant oil over the head symbolized the anointing for burial. The act of anointing the Lord Jesus with fragrant oil two days before His crucifixion symbolized the conclusion of His ministry through His death.

Mary anointed the Lord’s feet to show love, gratitude, and service. This is also the way the sinful woman anointed Him, as Luke recorded.

Today, what precious material possessions or personal glory do we have that we are willing to use to serve the Lord? In reality, many who bear the name of serving the Lord exploit His name for personal gain and seek glory for themselves.

John 12:4-5

4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, who was about to betray Him, said,

5 Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

Here, the Apostle John refers to the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, because just five days later, Judas would carry out his act of betraying the Lord. Mary’s humble act of service stands in complete contrast to Judas’ betrayal of the Lord.

It seems that Judas was very familiar with the value of goods. Perhaps he was accustomed to trading.

Judas’ words did not mean that he was suggesting Mary sell the oil, take the money, and give it to the poor. But based on verse 6, we can understand that Judas meant: “Why doesn’t Mary give the oil to me to sell so that I can keep the money from the sale in my purse and reserve it for the poor?”

John 12:6

6 This he said, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to pilfer the things which were placed in it.

The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle John, makes clear that Judas did not speak those words with good intentions but because he wanted to embezzle the money from selling the oil for his own use.

The phrase “and had the money box; and he used to pilfer the things which were placed in it” implies that Judas was the treasurer, meaning he was in charge of the funds contributed by the people for the Lord’s work. He was accustomed to taking some of the funds for his personal use.

A question arises here: surely the Lord Jesus knew that Judas often stole from the funds, so why did He allow him to keep the money bag?

We can understand that the Lord Jesus deliberately chose Judas, a man of dishonest heart, to fulfill prophecy (exemplified in Psalm 41:9) and to ensure the plan of redemption for humanity would be completed. Judas’ betrayal was a necessary detail in the plan leading to the sacrificial death of the Christ. Allowing Judas to keep the moneybag was part of the freedom that the Lord Jesus granted him so that his true nature could gradually be revealed.

The Lord Jesus did not force Judas to be faithful to Him, nor did He intervene to stop him from committing small sins before the greater one. This demonstrates His respect for Judas’ free will. By allowing Judas to continue keeping the moneybag, He gave him many opportunities to repent. Surely, each time Judas stole from the funds, there was a sense of conviction in his conscience.

The Lord Jesus treated Judas with immense love and patience. He did not expose Judas’ sin before everyone. He gave him the opportunity to repent until the very last moment, during the Passover meal, when He personally handed the bread to him. Regrettably, Judas hardened his heart, and at that very moment, Satan entered him (John 13:27).

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve original apostles of the Lord Jesus. He was granted authority by Him to heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach the Gospel. Yet he lived according to his own will, and ultimately he betrayed the Lord, handing Him over to death.

Today, there are also those who bear the name of God’s people but still live according to their own desires and the lusts of the flesh. The Lord allows them to remain in the Church out of His great mercy and patience. But the time will come when He will vomit them out, and the God will cut them off from the Lord Jesus.

“Therefore, since you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:16)

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me which does not bear fruit He takes away.” (John 15:1-2a)

Every one of God’s people has been entrusted by Him with a mina and a number of talents to serve Him, through the work of building up the Church and helping others. Whoever does not use what the Lord has given to serve Him but uses it selfishly is stealing from the Lord.

John 12:7

7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.

The Lord Jesus’ statement does not mean that Mary knew in advance about His death and deliberately saved the fragrant oil for the day of His burial. Nor does it mean that the anointing had to occur precisely on the day of His burial.

In reality, Mary had originally kept the oil for personal and family use. But when she took it out to anoint the Lord, the act coincided with the time He was about to die. That is why the Lord said that her keeping it was “for the day of My burial.” Mary’s personal intention also fulfilled the God’s holy will, for through her, the God had prepared the fragrant oil for the Lord Jesus.

Similarly, in life, many parents desire children according to their own wishes, but when the time comes, those children are used by the God for His work. In this way, having children according to personal intention can also be part of the God’s divine plan. Likewise, many actions that humans plan, calculate, and decide for their own purposes can be used by the God for His work.

Mary may not have been aware that the Lord Jesus would die in just a few days when she took out the fragrant oil to anoint Him. Yet her action was prompted by the inspiration of God the Spirit. She sensed, in a vague way, that she needed to do something to express her love and gratitude to the Lord. And so she anointed His feet with the fragrant oil.

The preposition “for” in the phrase “for the day of My burial” indicates purpose. It can be translated as “with regard to the day of My burial.” For the Lord Jesus, at the moment just a few days before His death, Mary and another woman anointing Him with fragrant oil served as preparation for His burial. They can be seen as two witnesses foreshadowing the conclusion of the Lord Jesus’ mission through His death.

Mary’s anointing symbolizes the conclusion of the Christ’s spiritual ministry, resulting in the establishment of the Church and the Church humbly serving Him. The anointing by another woman, two days before the Lord’s death, symbolizes the conclusion of the Christ’s spiritual ministry, resulting in Him becoming the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

John 12:8

8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

The time that the Lord Jesus was physically present with His disciples in the flesh was limited. Therefore, they needed to make the most of that time to serve Him. Helping the poor was necessary, but serving the Lord Jesus at that moment was a higher priority, because their opportunity to serve Him was brief, while opportunities to help the poor would always be available.

Today, the Lord Jesus is not physically present among the Church. God’s people serve the Lord Jesus by helping others, especially brothers and sisters in the faith, according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit:

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those who are of the household of faith.” (Ga-la-ti 6:10)

When God’s people help one another, they are doing good for the Lord Jesus Himself. He Himself affirmed this:

“Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.” (Ma-thi-ơ 25:40)

The most essential form of help is preaching the Gospel to those who do not yet know it. We begin with the people closest to us. We can also preach the Gospel to many others everywhere through social media.

John 12:9-11

9 Now a large crowd from the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

10 But the chief priests took counsel, that they might also kill Lazarus,

11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away, and were believing in Jesus.

“A large crowd from the Jews” refers to the crowd of Israelites following Judaism from various places, both inside and outside the land of Canaan, who came to participate in the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. When they heard that the Lord Jesus had raised a man who had been dead for four days and had returned to Bethany, they flocked to the place. First, they wanted to see the Lord Jesus, as many believed He was the Christ. Next, they wanted to see Lazarus, the living witness of a miracle unprecedented in history.

In response to this upheaval, Annas and Caiaphas conferred with the Sanhedrin to decide to kill Lazarus as well, because Lazarus had become a living witness to the unprecedented miracle of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus and Lazarus drew large crowds of Jewish people, causing them to abandon their gatherings in Judaism and turn to the Lord Jesus in faith. This event further confused and angered the Sanhedrin.

“Believing in Jesus” means to believe that He is the Christ and to trust in all His words.

The Sanhedrin’s decision to kill Lazarus as well shows that they were not truly seeking the truth and were not genuinely worshiping the God. They were using religion solely for personal gain and to seek their own glory. Therefore, they were willing to commit any evil to eliminate anyone who threatened their interests in order to protect their power and reputation. This is still what happens among the leaders of religious organizations bearing the name of the Lord today.

The decision to kill both the one whom the Lord Jesus had raised from the dead and the Lord Jesus Himself, who has authority to raise the dead, demonstrates the extreme spiritual darkness of the Sanhedrin. It was because they had hardened their hearts against God’s truth that Satan had caused them to become spiritually blind.

“Among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of *God, should not shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Today, countless people in the leadership ranks of religious organizations bearing the name of the Lord are also immersed in spiritual darkness. That is why, in the name of the Lord, they officiate weddings for people of the same sex and even ordain bishops and pastors for homosexuals. This is also a sign of apostasy immediately before the coming of the Christ, as prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

We conclude this lesson here.

May the Holy Spirit guide us into all the truths of God’s Word (John 16:13). May the Word of God sanctify us (John 17:17). May the Faithful *God of Peace Himself sanctify our spirit, soul, and body entirely, without blame (1 Thessalonians 5:23), at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Beloved Savior. Amen!

Timothy Christian Huynh
Priscilla Christian Huynh
08/23/2025

Notes:

[1] https://preachingfromthebible.net/the-day-of-the-lords-death-and-the-day-of-the-lords-resurrection/

About Using “*God”, “the God” and “holy spirit”

Wherever the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts of the Bible use a definite article with a noun to denote GOD, we translate it into English as *God or “the God” to refer to God the Father. We understand that “God,” without a definite article, was used as a collective noun for all and any of the three Persons of the Godhead. And “God,” with a definite article, was used to refer to God the Father.

In the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the term “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) without the definite article “the” (το) is used to denote the power of God, which is given by God the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit” (το πνευματι το αγιω) is God, and “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) is the power that comes from God.