John 12:3

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 Remarks 1 to 8 at the close of that section....

3._And the house was filled with the odor _of the ointment. It was not a simple liquor extracted from _spikenard, _but a compound of many odoriferous substances; and therefore it is not wonderful that _the _whole _house was filled with the odor _...

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 another way; she still served, but within hearing of Christ's gracious words. Mary gave a token of love to Christ, who had given real tokens of his love to her and her family. God's Anointed should be our Anointed. Has God poured on him the oil of gladness above his fellows, let us pour on him the ointment of our best affections. In Judas a foul sin is gilded over with a plausible pretence. We must not think that those do no acceptable service, who do it not in our way. The reigning love of money is heart-theft. The grace of Christ puts kind comments on pious words and actions, makes the best of what is amiss, and the most of what is good. Opportunities are to be improved; and those first an...

Verse John 12:3. _THEN TOOK MARY A POUND OF OINTMENT_] Matthew 26:7, Matthew 26:7; _see also Clarke "_Mark 14:3_"_. It does not seem the most likely that this was the same transaction with that mentioned above. Some think that this was, notwithstanding _that_ before is said to have been at the house of Simon the leper. The arguments, _pro_ and _con_, are largely stated in the notes at the end of Matthew 26, Matthe...

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 26:3. John 12:2 A SUPPER - At the house of Simon the leper, Matthew 26:6. LAZARUS WAS ... - The names of Martha and Lazarus are mentioned because it was not in their own house, but in that of Simon. Lazarus is particularly mentioned, since it was so remarkable that one who had been once dead should be enjoying again the endearments of friendship. This shows, also, that his resurrection was no illusion - that he was really restored to the blessings of life and friendship. Calmet thinks that this was about two months after his resurrection, and it is the last that

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 is the transition between the public and the private ministry, the great pause between the two classes of manifestation forming the climax of the public ministry. III. CONSUMMATION OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY. JOHN 12:1 1. _The feast of love and gratitude_. JOHN 12:1 JESUS THEREFORE, SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER. Every preliminary of that solemn feast is memorable to our evangelist. The coincidence of the

THEN TOOK MARY A POUND OF OINTMENT OF SPIKENARD VERY COSTLY,.... Worth three hundred pence, according to Judas's estimation of it. This Mary was the other sister of Lazarus; Matthew 26:7, Mark 14:3, concerning the nature and value of this ointment: AND ANOINTED THE FEET OF JESUS; as he lay upon the bed or couch, at supper: AND WIPED HIS FEET WITH HER HAIR; Luke 7:38. AND THE HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH THE ODOUR OF THE OINTMENT; see Song of Solomon 1:3; ointment of spikenard was very odoriferous: this may be an emblem of the sweet savour of Christ, in the ministration of the

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 the Leper; a near acquaintance, perhaps a relative of this beloved family, for we find that Martha served, but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. The two families had coalesced for this festival, and well they might, for one case someone had been healed of leprosy, and in the other case Lazarus had been raised from the dead. It was a holy, happy feast. John 12:2. _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._ The other evangelist said

MARY As Martha stands for service, and Lazarus for communion, so Mary shows us the worship of a grateful heart. Others before her had come to his feet to have their need met; she came to give Him His due. Though two of the evangelists record her act, John alone gives her name. FEET OF (_ See Scofield) - (Matthew 26:7). _...

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. (John 12:34 .) From the close of the previous chapter we learn that the Lord had gone with His disciples to a city called Ephraim. Six days before the Passover He came to Bethany again. They made Him a feast. Lazarus is especially mentioned as well as Martha, who served; Mary also was present with others who were of His disciples. It is a beautiful type of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, when He will have His own with Him. Lazarus represents the Saint