John 12:1–11 – Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany
Quick Summary
In John 12:1–11, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, filling the house with fragrance. Judas criticizes her act, but Jesus defends it as preparation for his burial. The scene contrasts love and devotion with greed and betrayal.
Introduction
The raising of Lazarus in John 11 sets the stage for this next powerful moment in Bethany. Just six days before Passover, Jesus is again at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This time, it is not Lazarus’ death that draws attention, but Mary’s extravagant devotion. She takes expensive perfume, pours it on Jesus’ feet, and wipes them with her hair. The fragrance fills the house, a symbol of worship and sacrifice.
The act shocks some of the onlookers. Judas protests the “waste” of such a costly gift, disguising his greed with a veneer of concern for the poor. Jesus, however, interprets Mary’s act as preparation for his burial. In this moment, John gives us a glimpse of the cross that lies ahead. What begins as a dinner of thanksgiving becomes a foreshadowing of Jesus’ passion. This passage invites us to reflect on what devotion looks like, how hypocrisy disguises itself, and how Jesus receives costly love.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of John 12:1–11
John 12:1
“Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.” This timestamp is significant. The Passover points forward to Jesus’ sacrifice as the true Lamb of God. By placing the story here, John shows that Mary’s anointing is tied to the coming cross. Bethany, the place of friendship and resurrection, now becomes the place of preparation for death.
The “six days” marker may also remind readers of creation imagery. Just as God created the world in six days, so here the climax of new creation—the cross and resurrection—is about to unfold. John often layers symbolism into his chronology.
John 12:2
“Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.” This simple verse paints a picture of community: Martha serving, Lazarus reclining at the table, and Jesus present in their midst. Each plays a role. Martha’s service is an act of love, Lazarus’ presence is a living testimony, and Jesus is the honored guest. The meal reflects gratitude and fellowship after Lazarus’ raising.
This verse also highlights continuity. Martha is still serving, just as in Luke 10, but now the scene is one of thanksgiving rather than frustration. Service, when offered freely, is an act of worship.
John 12:3
“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” Mary’s act is lavish, personal, and humble. Anointing feet instead of the head signals profound humility. Wiping them with her hair is an intimate gesture of devotion. The fragrance filling the house suggests how worship and love for Jesus affect the whole community. Mary embodies what discipleship looks like: giving without calculation, loving without reserve.
The expensive nard, imported from India, would have cost nearly a year’s wages. This underscores how extravagant Mary’s devotion is. For her, nothing is too costly for Jesus.
What I found very effective is buying some nard online and then passing it around during bible study or during the sermon. Try it!
John 12:4–6
“But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)” Judas’ objection sounds pious but is rooted in hypocrisy. John exposes his motives, making clear that false concern can mask greed. The contrast is sharp: Mary’s devotion is genuine; Judas’ words are self-serving. This foreshadows the betrayal soon to come.
This moment challenges us to examine our own motives. Do we sometimes hide selfishness behind religious language? Judas reminds us how easy it is to appear righteous while inwardly serving ourselves.
John 12:7–8
“Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’” Jesus reframes Mary’s act as prophetic. Her anointing anticipates his burial, showing that she perceives, at least intuitively, what others do not. Jesus’ words are not dismissive of care for the poor but emphasize the urgency of recognizing the unique moment before his death. Worship and service are not opposed; here, Mary’s act becomes a witness to the cross.
This is also one of the clearest anticipations of Jesus’ burial before his crucifixion. Mary prepares him, knowingly or not, for the tomb.
John 12:9–11
“When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many were believing in Jesus.” The miracle of Lazarus continues to ripple outward. Crowds gather, curious and hungry for signs. But the leaders’ hostility grows. Their plot extends even to Lazarus, whose very life has become a testimony to Jesus’ power. Faith and opposition intensify side by side.
This final note shows the cost of witness. Lazarus, simply by living after being raised, becomes a target. To bear witness to Jesus is to share in his vulnerability.
Themes in John 12:1–11
Extravagant Devotion – Mary’s act of anointing shows costly, wholehearted love for Jesus.
Hypocrisy Exposed – Judas’ false concern highlights how greed can disguise itself as piety.
Foreshadowing the Cross – Mary’s act points to Jesus’ burial and impending death.
Testimony and Opposition – Lazarus’ life continues to draw people to faith but also provokes hostility.
Community of Discipleship – Martha serves, Mary worships, Lazarus testifies—all show different but faithful responses to Jesus.
John 12:1–11 Meaning for Today
This passage challenges us to consider what true devotion looks like. Mary’s act of love was costly, humble, and public. In a world that often calculates value in terms of utility, she shows that love poured out on Jesus is never wasted. Her example invites us to offer our best to Christ—not leftovers, not what costs little, but what demonstrates genuine love.
It also warns us against Judas’ kind of hypocrisy. It is easy to cloak selfish motives in religious language, but Jesus sees the heart. Faithful discipleship is not about appearances or self-preservation but about authentic love and obedience.
This story also reminds us that witness often provokes opposition. Lazarus’ life testified so strongly to Jesus’ power that the leaders sought to kill him. In the same way, our lives may stir resistance when they point to Christ. Yet, like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, we are called to remain faithful witnesses, trusting that Jesus is worth all devotion.
Finally, the text invites us into a holistic vision of discipleship. Martha serves, Lazarus testifies, and Mary worships. Each embodies a different way of honoring Jesus, and all are needed. Our service, testimony, and worship together form a fragrant offering to God.
FAQ
Why did Mary anoint Jesus’ feet?
Mary’s act was a gesture of love and devotion, but Jesus also interpreted it as preparation for his burial. Her costly gift showed that she recognized, at least in part, the significance of his coming death.
Why did Judas criticize Mary’s act?
Judas objected under the guise of concern for the poor, but John reveals his true motive was greed. His hypocrisy highlights the contrast between genuine devotion and self-serving piety.
What does the perfume symbolize?
The costly perfume represents sacrificial love. The fragrance filling the house illustrates how acts of devotion can impact an entire community.
Why did the chief priests want to kill Lazarus?
Because Lazarus was living proof of Jesus’ power, many were believing in Jesus on account of him. The leaders saw this as a threat to their authority, so they sought to silence his testimony.
Works Consulted
Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John I–XII (Anchor Yale Bible).
D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary).
Gail R. O’Day, John (New Interpreter’s Bible).
Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of John: A Commentary.
Andreas J. Köstenberger, John (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
