John 12:1–11:
Mary Anoints Jesus and Opposition Against Him Grows

The Correct Interpretation of John 12:1–11

After Lazarus is raised and the authorities decide to kill Jesus (John 11:38–57), the account moves even closer to Passover. Six days before the feast, Jesus returns to Bethany, where He had raised Lazarus from the dead. During a dinner, Mary anoints His feet with very costly oil and wipes them with her hair. Judas criticizes her act, apparently appealing to concern for the poor, but John reveals that his motive was not sincere. Jesus, however, connects Mary’s action with His burial. Meanwhile, Lazarus’s presence continues drawing many toward Jesus, to the point that the chief priests decide to kill Lazarus as well.

(vv. 1–2)
«1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was (the deceased whom He raised from the dead). 2 So they gave a dinner for Him there—Martha was serving, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.»

John places the scene six days before the Passover, bringing the account still closer to Jesus’ death.

Jesus returns to Bethany, and Lazarus appears again as the deceased whom Jesus raised from the dead.

During the dinner, Martha serves and Lazarus is reclining at the table with Jesus.

The simple fact that Lazarus is there, eating with Jesus, keeps the reality of the sign performed in the previous chapter visible before everyone.

(v. 3)
«Then Mary, bringing a pound of pure oil of nard, very costly, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped His feet with her hair! And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.»

Mary performs an extraordinarily costly act.

The oil is described as pure oil of nard, very costly, and she uses a considerable amount to anoint Jesus’ feet.

Then she wipes His feet with her hair.

John adds that the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil, emphasizing the visible and perceptible nature of her act.

Her action expresses extraordinary honor toward Jesus and, as He will immediately explain, also takes on significance in relation to His burial.

(vv. 4–6)
«4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son (who was about to betray Him), said, 5 “Why wasn’t this oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?” 6 (Now he did not say this because the poor mattered to him, but because he was a thief and had the money-box; and used to pilfer what was put in it.)»

Judas protests the cost of the oil.

His objection sounds pious:

“Why wasn’t this oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?”

But John immediately reveals that this concern was false.

Judas did not say this because the poor truly mattered to him, but because he was a thief and used to steal from the money-box he managed.

Therefore, the contrast is not simply between two legitimate opinions about how money should be used. John exposes an appearance of spiritual concern that conceals a corrupt motive.

(vv. 7–8)
«7 So Jesus said: “Let her be; she has performed this with a view to my burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”»

Jesus defends Mary:

“Let her be.”

He then interprets her act in relation to His burial.

Jesus’ death is now very near, and the anointing anticipates in some way the care normally associated with burial.

When He adds:

“For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Jesus is not dismissing the importance of helping the poor.

His point is that this occasion is unique. The opportunity to honor Him in this way before His death will not come again.

The statement recalls Deuteronomy 15:11, where Scripture acknowledges that the poor will always be in the land and specifically commands generosity toward those in need.

Therefore, Jesus does not set care for the poor against genuine devotion, but emphasizes the uniqueness of the moment as His death approaches.

(v. 9)
«Then a large crowd of the Jews learned that He was there; and they came, not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.»

The news that Jesus is in Bethany draws a large crowd.

But John explains that many also want to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.

Thus, the sign from the previous chapter continues to have a public effect.

Lazarus himself has become visible evidence of what Jesus did.

(vv. 10–11)
«10 So the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, 11 in that because of him many of the Jews were defecting and believing into Jesus.»

The opposition reaches a new level.

The chief priests want to kill not only Jesus, but Lazarus as well.

The reason is explicit:

“because of him many of the Jews were defecting and believing into Jesus.”

Lazarus is not described as preaching or performing signs. His very existence as a man raised from the dead testifies to Jesus’ work.

The authorities’ reaction shows how far they are willing to go to stop the growing response to Jesus: instead of reconsidering the evidence, they seek to eliminate the man whose life confirms the sign.

Implications

• Jesus receives extraordinary honor from Mary: her costly act expresses a profound response toward Him.
• Outward displays of piety can conceal corrupt motives: Judas speaks about the poor, but John reveals that his true concern was something else.
• Jesus’ death is drawing ever nearer: He Himself interprets the anointing in relation to His burial.
• Honoring Jesus does not eliminate the duty to care for the poor: His reference to them emphasizes the uniqueness of the moment, not their lack of importance.
• Lazarus’s life continues to testify to Jesus’ work: many come to believe as they consider what happened to him.
• Rejection can intensify even in the face of clear evidence: the chief priests decide to kill Lazarus as well.

Applications

• Honor Jesus sincerely: Mary offers something costly without pretending to possess a devotion she does not have.
• Examine your religious motives: an apparently pious concern can conceal very different interests.
• Do not use good causes to hide a corrupt heart: Judas appeals to the poor while stealing from the money-box.
• Recognize the unique worth of Christ’s person and work: Mary responds to Jesus with extraordinary honor.
• Let your life testify to what Christ has done: Lazarus becomes, simply by being alive, evidence of Jesus’ work.

Summary

In John 12:1–11, six days before Passover, Jesus is in Bethany with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. During the dinner, Mary anoints His feet with very costly oil of nard and wipes them with her hair, expressing extraordinary honor toward Him. Judas criticizes her act by appealing to the poor, but John reveals that his concern was false and that he used to steal from the money-box. Jesus defends Mary and connects her action with His burial, pointing to the nearness of His death. Meanwhile, many come to see both Jesus and Lazarus, and because of Lazarus many believe in Jesus. The opposition intensifies to the point that the chief priests decide to kill Lazarus as well.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank You that in Jesus Christ You have revealed the One who is worthy of all honor.

Give us sincere hearts to respond to Your Son without hypocrisy or hidden motives.

Keep us from using pious words to conceal selfish interests, and teach us to value what truly matters before You.

Help us live in such a way that our own lives testify to the work of Christ.

We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.