Why did Mary pour costly ointment on Jesus’ feet and wipe them with her hair?

Mary’s act was a deep expression of love and honor for Jesus. She used a large amount of very expensive perfume, showing she held nothing back from him. By anointing his feet and wiping them with her hair, she took a humble, low place and treated him as far more precious than her treasure or her dignity. Jesus explains that this act is also connected to his coming burial, so her love becomes a kind of early burial anointing, even if she did not fully grasp all that was about to happen.

What is the significance of the supper in Bethany with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus?

The supper in Bethany shows Jesus in close fellowship with a family he loved. Martha serves the meal, which shows love in practical work. Lazarus sits at the table with Jesus, proving he is truly alive after being raised from the dead. This meal takes place just days before Passover and before Jesus’ death, so it is like a quiet picture of gratitude and friendship before the storm. It also becomes the setting where Mary’s open devotion and Judas’ hidden greed are both brought into the light.

Why did Judas complain about the ointment being sold and given to the poor?

Judas asked why the perfume was not sold for three hundred pence and given to the poor, but the passage explains that this was only a cover. He did not really care about poor people. He kept the common money bag and was stealing from it. If the ointment had been sold, the money might have passed through his hands. His words sound religious and generous, yet his heart was covetous. This shows how someone can use pious language to hide selfish motives and how love for money can twist a person’s view of true worship.

What does Jesus mean by “the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always”?

Jesus is not saying that caring for the poor is unimportant. In fact, Scripture often calls for mercy and generosity. Here he reminds them that there will always be poor people around them, so there will always be chances to give and help. But his own time with them in person, before his death and burial, is very short. Mary’s act fits this unique moment as he moves toward the cross. Jesus’ words help us see that honoring him from the heart comes first, and that care for the poor should flow from that, not replace it.

How does this passage show the difference between true devotion and hypocrisy?

In this story, Mary quietly gives something very costly to honor Jesus, without saying a word. She gains nothing for herself and even risks criticism. Her love is costly and humble. Judas, on the other hand, speaks as if he cares about the poor but is really thinking about money he might take. He hides greed behind religious concern. Jesus exposes this difference when he defends Mary and reveals Judas’ lack of real care. The passage invites us to check whether our own words and actions toward Christ and others match what is truly in our hearts.

What does this passage teach about money, generosity, and worship?

This passage shows that money and costly things are not evil in themselves, but how we use them reveals our hearts. Mary’s use of expensive ointment to honor Jesus is praised, even though it looked wasteful to some. Judas talks about giving to the poor, but really loves money. Jesus’ words show that worship is not about outward show but about honest love for him. Care for the poor still matters, yet it should come from a heart that treasures Christ above possessions. The story warns against using religious talk to hide greed or resentment.

How does Mary’s anointing relate to Jesus’ coming death and burial?

Jesus says Mary kept this ointment “against the day of my burying.” People usually anointed a dead body with spices and perfume before burial. Jesus knows his death is very near, and he treats Mary’s act as a kind of early burial anointing. She may mainly be acting out of love and gratitude, but God uses her devotion to point to what is about to happen on the cross. Her act becomes a sign that Jesus is heading toward sacrifice and burial, and that his death is not an accident but part of God’s plan.

What does this story show about Jesus’ character and how he treats his followers?

This story shows Jesus as someone who gladly spends time with ordinary friends in their home, eating at their table. He welcomes Martha’s serving, receives Mary’s costly gift, and honors Lazarus by sitting with him after raising him from the dead. When Mary is criticized, Jesus steps in to defend her and explain the value of her act. He knows Judas’ heart yet still walks the path that will allow betrayal and the cross. We see his kindness, his awareness of coming suffering, and his care for sincere love, even when others do not understand it.

How can I apply Mary’s example in this passage to my life today?

Mary’s example challenges us to give Jesus our best, not our leftovers. She brought something very costly and laid it at his feet without worrying about what others would say. Today, that might mean giving him our time, our attention, our gifts, or our possessions in ways that seem costly or strange to others. It also means taking a humble place, like she did at his feet, and letting love for him guide our choices. Her story encourages us to look at our hearts and ask whether we hold anything back from Christ out of fear or love for comfort.

John.12.1

John 12:1

KJV

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

Mary Anoints Jesus

1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

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 saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.