The Anointing & The Anointed

John 12:1-11

Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany

12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazaruswas, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for himthere. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Marytherefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed thefeet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance ofthe perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betrayhim), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to thepoor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief,and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For thepoor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, notonly on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on accountof him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

(ESV)