Charles Ellicott Commentary John 12:7

"Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying." — John 12:7 (ASV)

Against the day of My burying has she kept this.—The majority of the better manuscripts read, “that she keep this against the day of My burying.” Compare Matthew 26:12 and Mark 14:8. The thought here differs from that in the earlier Gospels, and the common reading has therefore been adapted to harmonize with it.

Taking the better text, the meaning here is, “Let her alone, that she may keep this for the day of My embalmment.” She had taken a pound of ointment (John 12:3) and had anointed His feet. This reminds Him of the embalmment of the dead, which had only recently been in that very place and, in the case of one sitting with them, was present to their minds.

Her act is significant of the future which is approaching. Let them not stop that deed of love. Before the week ends His body will be carried to the sepulcher. The preparations for the grave have already begun.