Verse from John

“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 ‭

Jesus talked openly about His death, yet His disciples kept missing it. Mary, however, seemed to understand—perhaps from her history of careful listening to the Master (see Luke 10:38–42). After Christ resurrected Mary’s brother Lazarus (John 11:38–44), the chief priests and Pharisees “plotted to take his life” (v. 53). At that point, Jesus “withdrew to a region near the wilderness” (v. 54). Now, however, He returned to where Mary and Martha were in Bethany, a town literally “over the hill” (the Mount of Olives) from Jerusalem. 

Here in Bethany, the One who raised the dead prepared for His own death. Mary’s lavish gesture was an important part of that preparation. Judas scoffed at Mary’s beautiful act, but Jesus would have none of it. “Leave her alone,” He said. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial” (12:7).

Note: excerpt from ODB