John 12:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
John 12:3 presents a profound moment of extravagant devotion where Mary of Bethany, sister of Lazarus and Martha, anoints Jesus' feet with a pound of incredibly costly spikenard ointment and then humbly wipes them with her hair. This intimate act of worship fills the entire house with the fragrance, symbolizing the far-reaching impact of genuine, sacrificial love for Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the Gospel of John's narrative of Jesus' final week before His crucifixion, often referred to as the "Book of Glory" ([John 12-21](/john/12 "John 12-21 - The Book of Glory")). The supper in Bethany, occurring six days before the Passover, follows immediately after Jesus' miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Raising of Lazarus"). This miracle solidified Jesus' identity as the resurrection and the life, drawing both fervent belief and intensified opposition from the Jewish authorities. Mary's act of anointing serves as a poignant counterpoint to the growing hostility, highlighting selfless love in the face of impending betrayal and death. The subsequent verses in [John 12:4-8](/john/12-4-8 "John 12:4-8 - Judas's Treachery and Jesus' Defense") reveal Judas Iscariot's mercenary objection to Mary's deed, which Jesus then defends as a preparation for His burial.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Hospitality was a cornerstone of ancient Near Eastern culture, and hosting a meal for a revered guest like Jesus was a significant honor. Anointing a guest's head with oil was a common courtesy, but anointing feet was an act of profound humility and reverence, usually performed by servants. The use of "spikenard" (Greek: _nardos_) indicates a highly prized aromatic oil imported from the Himalayas, making its value immense. A "pound" (Greek: _litra_) of this ointment was indeed "very costly" (Greek: _polýtimos_), estimated by some to be worth 300 denarii, roughly a year's wages for a common laborer. For Mary to use such a valuable possession, and then to let down her hair—a woman's glory and typically reserved for private display—to wipe Jesus' feet, was an extraordinarily public and intimate gesture of complete devotion and self-abasement.
* **Key Themes:** Mary's act in [John 12:3](/john/12-3 "John 12:3 - Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel. It exemplifies **Extravagant Love and Worship**, demonstrating that true devotion to Christ knows no bounds of cost or conventionality, contrasting sharply with the calculating and self-serving motives of Judas in [John 12:4-6](/john/12-4-6 "John 12:4-6 - Judas's Objection"). This act also foreshadows **Jesus' Impending Death and Burial**, as Jesus Himself interprets it as a preparation for His burial in [John 12:7](/john/12-7 "John 12:7 - Jesus' Explanation of Mary's Act"). Furthermore, the "odour" filling the house underscores the theme of **Spiritual Fragrance and Testimony**, where acts of genuine worship and sacrifice for Christ have a pervasive and undeniable impact, extending beyond the immediate moment and serving as a witness to others, much like the "aroma of Christ" mentioned in [2 Corinthians 2:14-16](/2_corinthians/2-14-16 "2 Corinthians 2:14-16 - The Aroma of Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Greek, _lambánō_):** This verb signifies to take, receive, or get hold of. In Mary's action, it suggests a deliberate, active choice to acquire and present this precious commodity, rather than a passive reception. It highlights her intentionality in preparing this gift for Jesus.
* **anointed (Greek, _aleíphō_):** This word specifically means to oil or anoint with perfume. Unlike _chriō_ (from which "Christ" derives, meaning to anoint for a specific office or purpose), _aleíphō_ refers to a more general act of applying oil or ointment, often for hygiene, healing, or beautification. Here, it is an act of honor and devotion, transforming a common practice into an extraordinary gesture.
* **wiped (Greek, _ekmássō_):** Derived from "to knead out," this verb means to wipe dry or thoroughly clean. The intensity of this action, combined with the means (her hair), underscores the depth of Mary's humility and the thoroughness of her service. It's not a casual pat but a dedicated act of cleansing and devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly":** This phrase immediately establishes the extraordinary nature of Mary's gift. The "pound" (approximately 12 ounces or 327 grams) signifies a substantial quantity, and "spikenard" identifies it as a rare and highly valued perfume. The descriptor "very costly" emphasizes the immense financial sacrifice Mary was making, setting the stage for the profound act of worship that follows.
* **"and anointed the feet of Jesus":** This is the central action. While anointing the head was a customary sign of honor, anointing the feet was an act of humble servitude, typically performed by a slave or a very devoted disciple. Mary's choice to anoint Jesus' feet underscores her profound reverence and humility before Him.
* **"and wiped his feet with her hair":** This gesture elevates the act beyond mere anointing into an unparalleled display of devotion and self-abasement. For a woman to unbind her hair in public was scandalous and culturally inappropriate, as it was considered her glory and usually reserved for private display. By using her hair, Mary expressed utter humility, complete surrender, and an unreserved outpouring of herself in worship.
* **"and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment":** This final clause describes the immediate, pervasive effect of Mary's act. The strong, sweet fragrance of the spikenard permeated the entire house, serving as a sensory testament to the powerful and undeniable impact of her worship. It symbolizes how genuine acts of devotion to Christ have a tangible and far-reaching influence, affecting all those present.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the costly spikenard symbolizing Mary's extravagant love and devotion, a sacrifice of her most valuable possession. Her unbound hair, used to wipe Jesus' feet, is a powerful symbol of **humility** and **self-abasement**, as it was culturally improper for a woman to display her hair in public, let alone use it in such a manner. This gesture also carries a strong element of **intimacy**, highlighting the personal and profound nature of her relationship with Jesus. The "odour" that fills the house functions as a form of **sensory imagery**, allowing the reader to experience the pervasive impact of Mary's worship, symbolizing the spiritual fragrance that emanates from genuine acts of devotion. Furthermore, the entire scene acts as a **foreshadowing** device, as Jesus later explains it as preparation for His burial, imbuing Mary's act with prophetic significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly spikenard and wiping them with her hair stands as a timeless paradigm of true worship and discipleship. It reveals that genuine devotion to Christ is often characterized by lavish giving, profound humility, and an unreserved outpouring of self, without concern for worldly cost or social convention. This act transcends mere hospitality, becoming a prophetic gesture anticipating Jesus' death and burial, and demonstrating that the most valuable offering we can give is our unreserved love and surrender to Him, which then permeates and transforms the surrounding environment.

* [Mark 14:3-9](/mark/14-3-9 "The Anointing at Bethany")
* [Matthew 26:6-13](/matthew/26-6-13 "The Anointing at Bethany")
* [Luke 7:36-50](/luke/7-36-50 "A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mary's act of worship is a profound challenge to our understanding of devotion in a world often preoccupied with practicality and self-preservation. Her extravagant offering of costly ointment, combined with the deeply humble and intimate gesture of wiping Jesus' feet with her hair, exemplifies a love that is uncalculating, unreserved, and utterly focused on the object of its affection. It prompts us to examine the nature of our own giving and service to Christ: Is it merely convenient, or does it involve genuine sacrifice? Do we hold back our most precious resources—whether time, talent, or treasure—or do we pour them out lavishly for His glory? The "odour" that filled the house reminds us that authentic worship has a pervasive and undeniable impact, a spiritual fragrance that testifies to the depth of our devotion and influences those around us. Mary's example calls us to a radical, humble, and uninhibited expression of love for Jesus, recognizing that nothing we possess is too valuable to offer to the One who gave His all for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "costly ointment" (whether resources, time, or personal pride) might God be calling you to pour out in worship or service?**
* **In what ways can you express humility and self-abasement in your devotion to Jesus, even when it feels counter-cultural or uncomfortable?**
* **How does your worship and service create a "fragrance" that impacts those around you, drawing them closer to Christ?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to move from conventional devotion to more extravagant, unreserved worship?**

### FAQ
**Why was the ointment so costly, and what does that signify?**

Answer: The ointment of spikenard was "very costly" (Greek: _polýtimos_) because it was a rare, imported perfume, likely from the Himalayas, and a pound of it was equivalent to about 300 denarii, which was a year's wages for a common laborer. This immense value signifies the extraordinary sacrifice Mary made, highlighting that her act was not a casual offering but a profound and extravagant expression of love and devotion, giving her very best to Jesus without reservation. It underscores the theme that genuine worship often involves significant personal cost.

**Why did Mary wipe Jesus' feet with her hair, and what was the cultural significance?**

Answer: Wiping Jesus' feet with her hair was an act of extreme humility and intimacy. In that culture, a woman's hair was considered her glory and was typically kept covered or bound in public. To let it down and use it to wipe someone's feet, especially a man's, was an act of profound self-abasement and devotion, far exceeding customary hospitality. It demonstrated Mary's complete surrender and unreserved love for Jesus, showing that she held nothing back in her worship. This gesture also contrasts sharply with the actions of the Pharisees, who often neglected basic courtesies for Jesus, as seen in [Luke 7:44-46](/luke/7-44-46 "Luke 7:44-46 - Jesus Rebukes Simon the Pharisee").

**How does Jesus' reaction to Mary's act differ from Judas's reaction?**

Answer: Jesus immediately defends Mary's act, interpreting it prophetically as preparation for His burial, as stated in [John 12:7](/john/12-7 "John 12:7 - Jesus' Defense of Mary"). He commends her selfless devotion and understands the spiritual significance of her offering. In contrast, Judas Iscariot objects, feigning concern for the poor but truly motivated by greed, as he was a thief who pilfered from the money bag ([John 12:4-6](/john/12-4-6 "John 12:4-6 - Judas's Hypocrisy")). This stark contrast highlights the difference between genuine, Spirit-led worship and self-serving, materialistic motives.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with costly spikenard and wiping them with her hair is a beautiful and prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's own ultimate sacrifice and the pervasive fragrance of His redemptive work. Just as Mary poured out her most valuable possession without reservation, so too did Christ pour out His very life, "emptying himself" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")) on the cross as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Her act of humble service, anticipating His burial, points to the profound humility of the Son of God who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). The "odour" that filled the house symbolizes the spiritual aroma of Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, which ascended to God as a "fragrant offering and sacrifice" ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ has filled the entire spiritual "house" of creation with the life-giving fragrance of His grace, reconciling all things to Himself ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ's Supremacy")). Mary's lavish devotion, therefore, mirrors and responds to the even more lavish, unreserved love of Christ, who gave Himself for us, that we might live for Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 14:3

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

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

(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

¶ 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

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

Luke 7:37

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

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.