Episode 82 - Mary anoints Jesus' feet - John 12:1-8

John 12:1   Six days before the Passover, Jesus, therefore, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Once again, we find Jesus back in Bethany, a rural suburb of Jerusalem. His friends Martha, Mary, and their resurrected-from-the-dead brother Lazarus are among the participants at a dinner. Martha is cooking. Lazarus is at the table with other guests, and Mary is doing something that is in sharp contrast with one of Jesus’ twelve disciples named Judas Iscariot. 

John mentions that this Judas Iscariot was the one who was about to betray Jesus. John did not know this at the time of the dinner. However, he adds this to clarify who this person is and to show his character.

What Mary is doing is anointing Jesus’ feet with a very expensive and aromatic ointment or perfume. John records Judas’ words which may have even reflected what some others were thinking in response to this act. In verse 5, he says, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” In these words, we learn two things: first, the value of the ointment (300 denarii) appears to be understood by everyone, and second, that Judas is voicing a belief that something more righteous and good could have been accomplished with the value of this ointment.

Let’s break this down. What is the value of denarii in Jesus’ lifetime? In Matthew 20:2, we learn that one denarius was offered and accepted as a day’s wage. If a denarius was a daily wage of the average working person of Jesus’ time, then 300 denarii were equal to approximately a year’s wages. Wow! That is significant, and we can begin to understand perhaps the shock in the mind of Judas and possibly others as well. 

Looking at the context, however, we get a more accurate picture of what is happening. The first thing we need to come back to is that not only has Mary taken the precious ointment and began anointing Jesus’ feet with it, but she is also using her hair as the towel. This is a picture of great personal sacrifice and humility on behalf of Mary. Why would she do this? The answer must be in the fact that Jesus has restored the life to her brother’s dead body, and she is responding in extreme gratitude for this act and overwhelming awe of Jesus’ power and authority. This is worship.

Contrasted with this is Judas Iscariot, who John tells us was about to betray Jesus. Then, John informs his readers about Judas’ true motives in making this statement about selling the ointment and giving it to the poor. Would it have been a good thing to sell it and give it to the poor? Certainly! Throughout the Scriptures, we see God desiring His people to take care of the poor, the widows, and the orphans, those who could not reasonably take care of themselves and had no one immediately connected to them with the ability to care for their needs. 

However, that was not Judas’ true motives. John tells us that Judas kept the money bag for Jesus and his followers, and he was “a thief.” He would help himself to what he wanted. Judas, in all likelihood, had witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. He was undoubtedly aware of it and now in Lazarus’ presence. Yet he was not thankful or in awe of Jesus’ power and authority. He was only interested in serving himself.

Jesus not only defends Mary but adds that she will use some of this for his burial. He also explains that throughout their lives, they will have ongoing opportunities to serve the poor. But, they will not be able to dine with him, listen to him teach, watch him perform miracles, or tangibly show him gratitude in his presence because he will not be there. He is prophesying about his imminent death and ascension to the Father’s side. 

It seems to me that the application to us couldn’t be more obvious. Are our motivations that drive our actions more like that of Mary or more like that of Judas? Do we have such overwhelming gratitude and awe of Jesus that we might sacrifice something valuable to the world to honor the Lord? Are we so humble before the Lord that we do not care what others might think? OR . . . Are we more like Judas, self-serving thieves who say and do things to make others believe we are selfless and righteous?

Our priority must first be to honor the Lord. When we do that, our motives to serve the needs of others will be right as well.