Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

John 12:1-11


Love's Fragrant Gift

John 12:1-11

Martha's service reminds us of Luke 10:41. The earlier Gospels (Matthew 26:1-75; Mark 14:1-72) do not mention Mary's name, probably because the whole family might have suffered for their intimate identification with Jesus; see John 12:10. But when this Gospel was written the beloved trio had been gathered home to God.

There was no value in the spikenard except to refresh and comfort, but this was sufficient to warrant Mary's act. We must not always be considering the utilitarian side of service. There are hours of holy ecstasy when we are lifted out of ourselves, in the expression of our love to Jesus, in ways that to cold and calculating onlookers seem mere extravagance. In her absorption in Him whom she loved, Mary has incited myriads to similar acts.

But her love stirred up the evil in the heart of Judas, as summer's lovely sunshine extracts poison from stagnant ponds. Our Advocate will screen us from our dread accuser. He interpreted Mary's motive. She knew that her Lord would be crucified, and as she thought that there would be no opportunity for love to perform the last offices, she beforehand anointed Him for the burial.

Continues after advertising

See also John 12:1-11 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    JOHN 12:1 La,zaroj {A} Although the absence of o` teqnhkw,j from a B L W X ita, c, e, r1 Syrp, pal copsa, boms eth _al_ can be explained as a deliberate deletion because it seemed entirely superfluou...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER XII. _Jesus sups at the house of Lazarus, and Mary anoints his feet_, 1-3. _Judas Iscariot finds fault, and reproves her_, 4-6. _Jesus vindicates Mary and reproves Judas_, 7, 8. _The chie...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    THEN JESUS CAME TO BETHANY - This was near to Jerusalem, and it was from this place that he made his triumphant entry into the city. See the notes at Matthew 21:1....

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 12 1. The Feast at Bethany. (John 12:1 .) 2. The Entrance into Jerusalem. (John 12:9 .) 3. The Inquiring Greeks and His Answer. (John 12:20 .) 4. His Final Words. ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    JOHN 12. THE FINAL SCENES IN THE PUBLIC MANIFESTATION. John 12:1. The Anointing. The scene is the same as that recorded by Mt. and Mk. Luke 7:36 represents a different incident, or at least a widely...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    ANOINTED FOR BURIAL (JOHN 12:1-16) One cannot enter upon the study of the portion of the Gospel that now opens before us without feeling that he is entering upon the most tender, solemn and sacred por...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    LOVE'S EXTRAVAGANCE (John 12:1-8)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Now six days before the Passover Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom he raised from the dead. So they made him a meal there, and Martha was serving while Lazarus was one of those who recline...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    THEN. Therefore. JESUS. App-98. SIX DAYS, &c.: i.e. on the ninth day of Nisan; our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset. See App-156. BEFORE. Greek _pro._ App-104. TO. unto. Greek. _eis._ App-104. LA...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Judgment of Men Note the dramatic contrast between the different sections of this division; the devotion of Mary and the enmity of the hierarchy, Christ's triumph and the Pharisees" discomfiture,...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Then Jesus_ The -then" or THEREFORE simply resumes the narrative from the point where it quitted Jesus, John 11:55. This is better than to make it depend on John 11:57, as if He went to Bethany to av...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE JUDGMENT OF MEN Note the dramatic contrast between the different sections of this division; the devotion of Mary and the enmity of the priests, Christ’s triumph and the Pharisees’ discomfiture, t...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    1. Omit ὁ τεθνηκώς after ΛΆΖΑΡΟΣ, with אBLX against ADIa. 1. Ὁ ΟΥ̓͂Ν Ἰ. The οὖν simply resumes the narrative from the point where it quitted Jesus. John 11:55. This is better than to make it depend on...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 1. Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2. There they made him a supper: and Martha served: but Lazarus was...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _JESUS WAS ANOINTED AT BETHANY -- JOHN 12:1-11:_ Jesus often visited Bethany, the home of His friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary. This visit was special because Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the gr...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΠΡΌ (G4253) до. Об использовании этого предлога здесь _см._ М, 100f. ΕΞ ΉΜΕΡΩΝ ΤΟΎ ΠΆΣΧΑ "за шесть дней до пасхи". Это может указывать, что осталась неделя до принесения истинного Пасхального Агнца,...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THEN JESUS—CAME TO BETHANY,— This was in his way to Jerusalem; and he might choose to stop here, in order to renew the idea of the resurrection upon the minds of his disciples, by carrying them once m...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    AN ACT OF LOVEWITH OMINOUS OVERTONES _Text 12:1-11_ 1 Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead. 2 So they made him a supper...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN John 12:1-11 Below is an Analysis of the passage which we are about to study:— What is recorded in John 12 occurred during the last week before our Lord’s death. In...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. For the exposition of this portion, see the notes at Mark 14:3, and Rem...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    49 The high priest's prophecy is another clear indication of the overruling and sovereign power of God. His enemies fulfill His will even when they are most opposed to His plans and purpose, as they s...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    SIX DAYS] Since the Passover, according to this Gospel, took place on Friday, Jesus apparently arrived on Saturday (the sabbath), and the supper must have taken place the same evening....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY. CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY 1-11. Supper at Bethany (see on Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3, which record the same incident). The event in Luke 7:36. is different. The supper was at t...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    JOHN TELLS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS GOSPEL OF JOHN _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 12 MARY POURS EXPENSIVE *PERFUME OVER JESUS’ FEET 12:1-11 V1 Six (6) days before the *Passover, Jesus returned to Betha...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    XII. (1) THEN JESUS SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER CAME TO BETHANY. — The whole question of the arrangement of days during this last great week depends upon the conclusion which we adopt with regard to...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    I. _ THE ANOINTING OF JESUS._ "Jesus therefore six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there: and Martha served; but...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Ὁ οὖν Ἰησοῦς … Βηθανίαν. οὖν takes us back to John 11:55; the Passover being at hand, Jesus therefore came to Bethany. πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα, not, as Vulgate, “ante sex dies Paschae,” but with Beza...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The shadows of the Passion were now falling across the path of the Christ. In what happened at the supper we have a vivid contrast. Mary and Judas arrest our attention. She, discovering the sorrows of...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    On the tenth day of the month the Jews were accustomed to collect the lambs, and other things in preparation for the ensuing great feast. On this day, likewise, they generally had a small feast, or tr...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    ARRIVAL AT BETHANY John 11:55-57; John 12:1; John 12:9-11. Jesus, having spent Saturday night at the house of Zaccheus, the following day travels to Bethany, twenty miles, all the way ascending the gr...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    SECOND SECTION: 12:1-36. THE LAST DAYS OF THE MINISTRY OF JESUS. This section includes three parts: 1. The supper of Jesus at Bethany: John 12:1 to John 11:2. His entry into Jerusalem: John 12:12 to...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    I. THE SUPPER AT BETHANY: JOHN 12:1-11. In the presence of the great struggle of whose approach every one has a presentiment, the devotion of the friends of Jesus becomes loftier; by way of counter-st...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    VER. 1. “ _Six days before the Passover, Jesus came therefore to Bethany where Lazarus was whom he had raised from the dead._ ” It would seem from the Synoptics that Jesus came directly to Jerusalem f...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Then Jesus, six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. (2) There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS The Lord Jesus is at a Supper. Mary anointeth his Feet. He entereth Jerusalem, as foretold by the Prophet. He maketh a very blessed Discourse; and is answered by a Voice from Heaven....

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The point at which we have arrived gives me an opportunity of saying a little on the beginning of this chapter, and the end of the last; for it is well known that many men, and, I am sorry to add, not...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    1._Jesus came to Bethany. _We see that they judged too rashly who thought that Christ _would not come to the feast_, (2) (John 11:56;) and this, reminds us that we ought not to be so hasty as not to w...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    His place (chapter 12) now is with the remnant, where His heart found rest the house of Bethany. We have, in this family, a sample of the true remnant of Israel, three different cases with regard to t...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    THEN JESUS, SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER,.... Or "before the six days of the passover"; not as designing the days of that feast, for they were seven; but as reckoning so many days back from it, that i...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. Ver. 1. _Came to Bethany_] To convert some, confirm others, and to refres...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Six days before the passover_ Namely, on the sabbath; that which was called by the Jews, _The great sabbath._ This whole week was anciently termed, _The great and holy week; Jesus came_ From Ephraim,...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    BETHANY; chap John 11:1....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THEN JESUS, SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER, CAME TO BETHANY, WHERE LAZARUS WAS WHICH HAD BEEN DEAD, WHOM HE RAISED FROM THE DEAD....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE ANOINTING OF JESUS. John 12:1 Jesus at supper:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    A SUPPER FOR HIM AT BETHANY (vs.1-8) Six days before the Passover He returned to the area of Jerusalem, coming by way of Jericho, as Luke shows us (Luke 19:1). These days He spent in ministering mai...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-11 Christ had formerly blamed Martha for being troubled with much serving. But she did not leave off serving, as some, who when found fault with for going too far in one way, peevishly run too far...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    JOHN CHAPTER 12 1 THESSALONIANS 12:1 Mary anoints the feet of Jesus: Judas murmurs at the cost. 1 THESSALONIANS 12:9 The people flock to see Lazarus: the chief priests consult to kill him....

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Irenaeus Against Heresies Book II Then, when He had raised Lazarus from the dead, and plots were formed against Him by the Pharisees, He withdrew to a city called Ephraim; and from that place, as it...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    John 12:1 Then G3767 six G1803 days G2250 before G4253 Passover G3957 Jesus G2424 came G2064 (G5627) to...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    JESUS IS ANOINTED (JOHN 12:1). This incident is significant in that it is unintentionally prophetic. By her action in anointing Jesus, Mary is intending to proclaim her gratitude and love, but what s...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘Six days therefore before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead'. It was clearly now still ‘day' (John 11:9). But His time had come and He did not...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Jesus has been doomed to death (John 11:53; John 11:57), and the hour is at hand when He shall be seized, and the sentence executed. But the malice of man cannot interfere with the purposes of God. In...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    John 12:1. JESUS THEREFORE, SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER, CAME TO BETHANY, WHERE LAZARUS WAS, WHOM JESUS HAD RAISED FROM THE DEAD. The word _therefore_ marks a close connection with the preceding chap...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    JESUS THEREFORE (Ιησους ουν). Here ουν is not causal, but simply copulative and transitional, "and so" (Bernard), as often in John (John 1:22, etc.).SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER (προ εξ ημερων του...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 12:1. _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;_ It was in the house of Simon t...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 12:1. _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...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 12:1. _Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead._ The days Christ was to spend upon the earth were getting to...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The supper at Bethany. The triumphal entry. Jesus' answer to Greeks. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Lazarus, Mary, Martha, disciples, Judas, Philip, Andrew, Isaiah, Pharisees. CONCLUSION: The most plen...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    John 12:1. _Six days before the passover._ The Hebrew sabbath was kept from sunset to sunset. The worship of the day being closed, the jews indulged in a good supper after the light food of the day. T...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER. The other Gospels tell us that Jesus went from Ephraim across the Jordan and came back through Jericho with the large crowd of Galileans who came to Jerusalem for Passove...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Then Jesus six days before the Passover._ --The following calendar of the Passover week is taken from Lightfoot (2.586): NISAN IX;_ The Sabbath_. Six days before the Passover, Jesus sups with Lazar...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 12:1 When Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus (compare Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:3), it anticipates Jesus’ arrest, cruc

  • The Gospels Compared

    A WOMAN ANOINTS JESUS WITH PERFUME MATTHEW 26:6-13; MARK 14:3-9; JOHN 12:1-8; MATTHEW 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Sim

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    1-50 CHAPTER 12 Ver. 1. _Then Jesus six days before the Passover_, &c. He came from Ephraim, as the Passover was drawing on when He was to die. And He came to Bethany to prepare Himself for it; nay m...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _EXPLANATORY AND CRITICAL NOTES_ John 12:1. See Homiletic Note, p. 341. John 12:2. The Synoptists inform us that it was in the house of Simon the leper (Matthew 26:6;...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION The twelfth chapter neither belongs intrinsically to that which precedes nor to that which follows. It is a paragraph of high significance, as bearing on the construction of the Gospel. It...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he had raised from the dead. They made him a supper; and Martha served [typical of Martha]: but Laz...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    John 11:1; John 11:44; John 11:55; Luke 24:50; Mark 11:11;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Which had been dead. (Omit.) He raised. For He, read Jesus....

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    MARY ANOINTING HER LORD John 12:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We are now coming to the close of the life of our Master presenting the third of three Bible scenes centering around Martha, Mary, and Lazarus....

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Six days before the passover — Namely, on the Sabbath: that which was called by the Jews, "The Great Sabbath." This whole week was anciently termed "The great and holy week." Jesus came — From Ephraim...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    The latter end of the foregoing chapter acquainted us with the prudential care of Christ in withdrawing from the fury of his enemies in and about Jerusalem, who were consulting his destruction: his ti...

Continues after advertising