John 12:1-8
Mary Anoints Jesus
Read the passage
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
2So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.
3Then 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.
4But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,
5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”
6Judas 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.
7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.
8The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Six days before Passover, Jesus returns to Bethany, where Lazarus is among those eating with Him. Martha serves, and Mary takes about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She anoints Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair. The house fills with the fragrance.
Judas objects that the perfume could have been sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor. It sounds like a concern worth hearing, but John tells us Judas steals from the money bag he keeps. His argument conceals the self-interest that Mary's generous act has frustrated.
Jesus tells him to leave her alone and connects the perfume with His burial. The dinner includes a man Jesus has raised from the dead, yet Jesus Himself is approaching death. Mary's act honors Him during the short time He remains with them. John does not tell us how fully she understands what is coming; Jesus supplies the significance of what she has done.
His words about always having the poor do not dismiss their needs. Deuteronomy 15:11 says there will always be poor people in the land and therefore commands openhanded generosity. Here, Jesus defends an act of love that belongs to this particular moment before His death. Judas's appeal to one responsibility cannot make Mary's devotion wrong.
Questions
1 What does Mary do with the costly perfume at Bethany?
AnswerMary takes about a pint of expensive perfume made from pure nard, anoints Jesus' feet, and wipes His feet with her hair. The house is filled with the fragrance.
2 Why does Jesus defend Mary's action against Judas' criticism?
AnswerJesus connects her perfume with the day of His burial. She is honoring Him while He is still with them; caring for the poor does not make her act of devotion wrong.
3 How does Judas' concern for the poor differ from his actual motive?
AnswerJudas objects that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but John says Judas was a thief who kept the money box and took what was put into it.
4 What act of generous love could our household offer without seeking credit?
AnswerChoose one act of generous care that will cost time, money, or attention. Give it quietly, and discuss how to serve the poor or vulnerable without using them as a prop in an argument.
What This Means for Us
Mary gives what she values to Jesus while Judas uses a concern for the poor to conceal a selfish motive. The household should ask not only what its actions look like, but what love or self-interest is actually driving them.
Jesus' defense of Mary does not cancel the command to care for the poor. It warns us not to turn concern for vulnerable people into a way to shame others or protect our own image. Sincere mercy stays honest about both the need and the motive.
Prayer
Jesus, receive our devotion and purify our motives. Teach our household to love generously, serve vulnerable people sincerely, and resist using justice as a mask for selfishness. Amen.