John 12:3

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

Then {G3767} took {G2983} Mary {G3137} a pound {G3046} of ointment {G3464} of spikenard {G3487}{G4101}, very costly {G4186}, and anointed {G218} the feet {G4228} of Jesus {G2424}, and {G2532} wiped {G1591} his {G846} feet {G4228} with her {G846} hair {G2359}: and {G1161} the house {G3614} was filled {G4137} with {G1537} the odour {G3744} of the ointment {G3464}.

Miryam took a whole pint of pure oil of spikenard, which is very expensive, poured it on Yeshua’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Then 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.

Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

Commentary

John 12:3 in the King James Version records a significant moment of worship and devotion by Mary of Bethany toward Jesus.

Context

This verse is set during a supper given in Jesus' honour in Bethany, at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, whom Jesus had recently raised from the dead (see John 11:43-44). The event occurs just six days before the Passover, marking the final week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. While Martha served and Lazarus reclined at the table, Mary performed this extraordinary act.

Key Themes

  • Costly Devotion: Mary's offering of expensive spikenard ointment highlights a theme of giving one's very best to Christ, regardless of the cost.
  • Humble Worship: Anointing Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair was an act of profound humility and deep reverence, exceeding customary hospitality.
  • Anticipation of Burial: Jesus later explains that this act was a preparation for His burial (John 12:7), linking her worship directly to His redemptive purpose.
  • Contrasting Responses: This act of selfless love is immediately contrasted with the materialistic and critical reaction of Judas Iscariot in the following verses (John 12:4-6).

Linguistic Insights

The term "spikenard" refers to a highly valued aromatic oil derived from the root of a plant found in the Himalayas. The phrase "very costly" (Greek: polytimou) emphasizes the immense economic value of the ointment, estimated to be worth around 300 pence, which was roughly equivalent to a year's wages for a common laborer.

The act of anointing feet was less common than anointing the head, suggesting a focus on humble service. Using her hair to wipe His feet was a particularly intimate and submissive gesture, signifying complete devotion.

Reflection

Mary's act serves as a powerful example of true worship – one that is sacrificial, humble, and unreserved. Her focus was entirely on honouring Jesus, demonstrating that genuine love is not concerned with the world's valuation but with expressing profound gratitude and adoration for the Savior. The "odour" filling the house suggests that acts of authentic worship have a noticeable impact, a spiritual fragrance that testifies to devotion. This challenges believers today to consider if their own worship and service are truly costly and humble, or merely conventional.

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Cross-References

  • Mark 14:3 (14 votes)

    And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured [it] on his head.

  • Mark 14:9 (14 votes)

    Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, [this] also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

  • John 11:2 (13 votes)

    (It was [that] Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

  • Luke 10:38 (12 votes)

    ¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

  • Luke 10:39 (12 votes)

    And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

  • Luke 7:37 (11 votes)

    And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that [Jesus] sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

  • Luke 7:38 (11 votes)

    And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment.