John 12 3

John 12:3 kjv

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.

John 12:3 nkjv

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

John 12:3 niv

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

John 12:3 esv

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

John 12:3 nlt

Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

John 12 verses

John 12 3 Meaning

John 12:3 describes a profound act of devotion by Mary of Bethany. She took an expensive, large quantity of pure nard ointment and anointed Jesus' feet, then humbled herself by wiping His feet with her hair. This act, deeply symbolic and counter-cultural in its display of extreme humility and adoration, filled the entire house with the rich fragrance, signifying the expansive and impactful nature of true worship and sacrifice, particularly in preparation for Jesus' imminent death and burial.

John 12 3 Context

John 12:3 is part of a supper held in Bethany, specifically six days before Passover, after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11). This miraculous act had drawn immense attention to Jesus, intensifying both faith and opposition. The setting is likely the home of Simon the Leper (as suggested in Mt 26:6, Mk 14:3), implying it was a communal event where Lazarus and Martha were also present and serving. The anointing by Mary thus takes place amidst growing tension and within sight of many witnesses, shortly before Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and His eventual crucifixion. It is framed as a direct contrast to Judas Iscariot's materialistic and deceitful reaction. The chapter immediately preceding (Jn 11) is about the death and resurrection of Lazarus, which solidified belief in Jesus for many, but also solidified the Sanhedrin's decision to kill Him (Jn 11:53). Mary's act therefore occurs at a critical juncture, understanding Jesus' identity and His coming destiny perhaps more deeply than others present.

John 12 3 Word analysis

• Mary: This is Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. She is previously known for sitting at Jesus' feet to listen to His words (Lk 10:39) and for her deep faith in His power (Jn 11:32). Her action here is consistent with her character of profound devotion to Christ, contrasting with her sister Martha's active service and Lazarus's raised state.
• therefore: Connects her action to the immediate context, possibly implying her devotion deepened or was moved by the events surrounding Lazarus's resurrection and Jesus' impending fate.
• took: An intentional action, not accidental. It signifies a deliberate decision to honor Jesus.
• a pound: (Greek: litra) A unit of measure, approximately 12 ounces or 327 grams. This quantity was significant, far more than a few drops, indicating extreme generosity and the substantial nature of her offering.
• expensive ointment: (Greek: myrou) Denotes a perfumed oil, typically highly valuable due to its rarity and often used for special occasions, medicinal purposes, or burial preparation. This wasn't a cheap, common perfume.
• of pure nard: (Greek: nardou pistikēs) "Nard" (Hebrew: nerd, a highly prized aromatic substance derived from the Nardostachys jatamansi plant, found in the Himalayas, costly due to import) highlights its exotic origin and high value. "Pistikēs" is debated by scholars, often interpreted as "genuine" or "pure" (distinguishing it from inferior or diluted versions), or sometimes related to 'drinking' (meaning liquid) or 'trust/faith' (pure as in reliable/true). The most common understanding is "pure" or "unadulterated," underscoring its premium quality and price.
• anointed the feet: Anointing typically involved the head as a sign of honor (Ps 23:5, Lk 7:46). Anointing the feet was an act of extreme humility, traditionally performed by servants (1 Sam 25:41). It conveys deep reverence and service, recognizing Jesus' high status yet offering a service far below standard protocol, anticipating His own foot-washing of disciples (Jn 13).
• of Jesus: Specifies the recipient of this unique devotion, centering the entire act on Christ Himself.
• and wiped: Again, a deliberate, humble act, part of the process of anointing.
• his feet: Emphasizes the continuation of the feet anointing.
• with her hair: In ancient Jewish culture, a woman's unbound hair was a private and glorious possession (1 Cor 11:15), considered a symbol of her modesty and honor. Unbinding it publicly was a scandalous act, a sign of extreme submission, humility, and love, usually reserved for mourning or deep shame. For Mary to do this meant she placed Jesus' honor above her own societal standing or modesty, utterly abasing herself before Him. It's a striking display of sacrificial love.
• And the house was filled: The immediate sensory impact of the action, indicating the pervasive and inescapable presence of the costly fragrance. This also signifies the spiritual impact and pervasive nature of Mary's worship.
• with the fragrance: A sensory detail that highlights the spiritual effect of the anointing, spreading throughout the immediate environment. Fragrance often symbolizes pleasant offerings (Eph 5:2), pleasing presence, or even the pervasive nature of the Gospel (2 Cor 2:14-16).
• of the ointment: Links the pervasive fragrance back to the specific offering, connecting the spiritual effect to the material act of devotion.

Words-group analysis:

• "Mary...took a pound of expensive ointment of pure nard": This phrase highlights Mary's immense sacrifice and foresight. The sheer quantity and quality ("pound," "expensive," "pure nard") demonstrate an understanding of Jesus' value far beyond the earthly price, signifying a worship without reservation, giving her best to Him.
• "anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair": This core action expresses profound humility, absolute devotion, and personal adoration. Feet were lowest, hair highest; uniting them in this act signifies laying down one's very self, dignity, and most valuable physical asset (her hair) in worship of the Lord. It anticipates Jesus' burial, as ointments were used for preserving bodies (Jn 19:39-40), and shows an understanding of His coming death.
• "And the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment": This indicates the pervasive nature and immediate, public impact of true devotion. The fragrance filling the house serves as a physical manifestation of a spiritual truth: an act of sincere worship impacts all present and testifies to Christ's presence. It represents the "fragrant offering" acceptable to God (Eph 5:2), symbolizing how genuine worship blesses not just the giver and recipient, but radiates to the surroundings.

John 12 3 Bonus section

The exact amount of the nard's value, mentioned in parallel accounts as 300 denarii (Mk 14:5), represents nearly a year's wages for a common laborer, underlining the extreme cost of Mary's devotion. This demonstrates a core principle of worship: giving one's most valuable possession or effort, not out of compulsion but out of love. The anointing, interpreted by Jesus as preparation for His burial, signifies Mary's prophetic insight or faith-driven submission to His divinely ordained purpose. While others focused on worldly matters or Jesus' Messianic reign on earth, Mary, in this silent, selfless act, prophetically participates in the divine narrative of redemption. This moment captures the tension between kingdom values (generous, selfless love for Christ) and worldly values (material gain, practicality over devotion).

John 12 3 Commentary

John 12:3 presents Mary's act not merely as a tender gesture but as a profound theological statement. Her anointing of Jesus' feet with costly perfume and wiping them with her hair embodies a radical devotion that contrasts sharply with the utilitarian concerns of Judas. This "waste" of a year's wages (Mk 14:5) was, in Jesus' eyes, a "beautiful thing" done in anticipation of His burial (Mk 14:6-8, Jn 12:7).

Mary’s anointing transcends typical expressions of honor by its extreme humility and the extravagant nature of the gift. She chooses the feet, the lowest part of the body, for anointing, demonstrating a servant's heart even to her Lord, reversing societal norms where one typically anointed the head. Then, the act of using her unbound hair—a symbol of a woman’s modesty and glory—to wipe His feet is a public display of utter submission and profound love, forsaking her own dignity for His. This prefigures Jesus' own humble act of washing His disciples' feet, emphasizing servanthood as central to the kingdom.

The pervasive fragrance signifies that true worship and costly devotion have an undeniable, spreading impact. It fills the "house"—symbolically representing the sphere of influence or witness—and serves as a testimony, a pleasant aroma to God, and a sweet scent to those receptive. It also highlights the significance of Christ's presence being so palpable. This selfless act serves as a perpetual example of worship, challenging believers to offer their best, without reservation, in selfless love for Christ, recognizing His unique value and His sacrificial destiny.