John 12:1-7
Summary for John 12:1-50: 12:1-50 a Two stories build simultaneously. A growing number of people are praising Jesus (this climaxes in 12:12-13 b), and the authorities are increasingly determined to arrest him and put him to death.• John records three events that occurred just days prior to Passover (12:1-11 c, 12-19 d, 20-36 e). Then he explains why most of the people refused to believe and details Jesus’ final public appeal (12:37-50 f). 12:1 g Pilgrims from throughout Israel began arriving in Jerusalem the week before the Passover. The festival was on Thursday that year; Jesus arrived late the preceding Friday, just before the Sabbath.
12:2 h who ate: Or who reclined. The typical posture for eating was to recline at a low table.
12:3 i Mary ... anointed Jesus’ feet: Doing so was not awkward, because Jews reclined at formal meals, but it was certainly a dramatic gesture (cp. Matt 26:6-16 j; Mark 14:3-9 k).
• Nard, a precious spice imported from North India, was sweet, red, and smelled like gladiola perfume. Twelve ounces of nard cost a year’s wages (John 12:5 l). According to Mark, Mary also anointed Jesus’ head (Mark 14:3 m), and the perfume ran down and scented his garments (Mark 14:8 n).
• her hair: Women never unveiled their hair in public (see Luke 7:38 o). Mary was acting with extravagant abandon and devotion.
12:5 p a year’s wages: Judas may have been exaggerating, but Mary’s sacrifice was certainly very costly.
12:7 q Leave her alone: Jesus’ defense of Mary interpreted her deed. The nard was a burial spice for his death. Jesus was readied for burial as he moved toward the hour of glorification and death (see study note on 12:23).
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