Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 12
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
John 12
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
John 12
"Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead." — John 12:1 (ASV)
At this point Jesus’ time schedule becomes more definite than previously in this gospel. Martha and Mary gave a dinner for Jesus. The notation that Lazarus was among the guests seems unnecessary at first reading. If the dinner was an expression of gratitude for the restoration of Lazarus (ch. 11), he would naturally be expected to attend it. Perhaps the writer is suggesting that after Lazarus’s restoration to life he retired from any public appearance since he did not want to be an object of curiosity (cf. v.9). On this occasion he may have come out of seclusion to honor Jesus.
"So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him." — John 12:2 (ASV)
At this point Jesus’ time schedule becomes more definite than previously in this gospel. Martha and Mary gave a dinner for Jesus. The notation that Lazarus was among the guests seems unnecessary at first reading. If the dinner was an expression of gratitude for the restoration of Lazarus (ch. 11), he would naturally be expected to attend it. Perhaps the writer is suggesting that after Lazarus’s restoration to life he retired from any public appearance since he did not want to be an object of curiosity (cf. v.9). On this occasion he may have come out of seclusion to honor Jesus.
"Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." — John 12:3 (ASV)
The anointing of Jesus’ feet by Mary was not difficult because of the custom of reclining to eat instead of sitting at a table. Guests usually reclined on divans with their heads near the table. They leaned on cushions with one arm and ate with the other. Mary could easily have slipped from her couch, walked around the other couches, and poured the ointment on Jesus’ feet.
Spices and ointments were quite costly because they had to be imported.
Mary’s offering was valued at approximately a year’s wages for an ordinary working person. She presented it as an offering of love and gratitude, prompted by Jesus’ restoration of her brother to the family circle. Wiping his feet with her hair was a gesture of utmost devotion and reverence. The penetrating fragrance of the ointment that filled the house told all present of her sacrificial gift.
"But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that should betray him, saith," — John 12:4 (ASV)
Judas Iscariot reappears here (cf. 6:70–71, the only previous mention of him in this gospel). Jesus knew Judas’s tendencies and was well aware of his coming defection. Whereas many of Jesus’ disciples had deserted him (6:66), Judas remained to betray him. He was determined to make Jesus serve his purpose— by treachery if necessary.
Judas had been appointed treasurer of the band of disciples, but he had been using his office for his own enrichment. His remonstrance over Mary’s gift revealed that he had a sharp sense of financial values and no appreciation of human values.
"Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?" — John 12:5 (ASV)
Judas Iscariot reappears here (cf. 6:70–71, the only previous mention of him in this gospel). Jesus knew Judas’s tendencies and was well aware of his coming defection. Whereas many of Jesus’ disciples had deserted him (6:66), Judas remained to betray him. He was determined to make Jesus serve his purpose— by treachery if necessary.
Judas had been appointed treasurer of the band of disciples, but he had been using his office for his own enrichment. His remonstrance over Mary’s gift revealed that he had a sharp sense of financial values and no appreciation of human values.
Jump to: