Joh 12:3 | TNotes | STEP | 12:3 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 ; Mark 14:3-9 ). • 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 ). According to Mark, Mary also anointed Jesus’ head (Mark 14:3 ), and the perfume ran down and scented his garments (Mark 14:8 ). • her hair: Women never unveiled their hair in public (see Luke 7:38 ). Mary was acting with extravagant abandon and devotion.

bMatt 26:6-16►

cMark 14:3-9►

dJohn 12:5►

eMark 14:3►

fMark 14:8►

gLuke 7:38►

‏ John 12:3

12:3 ^a 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 ^b; Mark 14:3-9 ^c).

• 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 ^d). According to Mark, Mary also anointed Jesus’ head (Mark 14:3 ^e), and the perfume ran down and scented his garments (Mark 14:8 ^f).

• her hair: Women never unveiled their hair in public (see Luke 7:38 ^g). Mary was acting with extravagant abandon and devotion.