John 12:1

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - John 12:1

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 treat for their friends, at which time Jesus coming to Bethania, joined his friends in their entertainment. This was most likely in the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Martha served at the table herself, thinking herself happy in waiting on Jesus, whom she considered as her Lord and God. Lazarus... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - John 12:1-11

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... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - John 12:1-99

John 12 FOR THE THIRD time in this Gospel a Passover feast is mentioned. In Leviticus 23.0 , it is spoken of as one of the “feasts of the Lord,” but in John’s Gospel it is always a feast of the Jews, in keeping with the fact that Jesus is regarded as refused by His people from the outset, and consequently they and their feasts are disowned by God. The religious leaders were now about to crown their infamy by using the Passover as an occasion for encompassing the death of the Son of God. Their... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - John 12:1-3

The Anointing of Jesus. John 12:1-1 Kings : Jesus at supper: v. 1. Then Jesus, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. v. 2. There they made Him a supper, and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. v. 3. Then took Mary 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 odor of the... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - John 12:1-8

IIIAntithesis Between Faithfulness And Apostasy In The Circle Of Disciples Itself. The Life Feast Over Lazarus An Anticipatory Celebration Of The Death Of Jesus. The Anointing (Of The Messiah, At The Beginning Of The Six Days’ Work Of His Passion, The New Six Days’ Work For The Redemption And Glorification Of The World)John 12:1-8(Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11; Luke 22:3-6.)1Then Jesus [therefore], six days before the passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which [who] had been dead,1 whom... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - John 12:1-11

John LOVE’S PRODIGALITY CENSURED AND VINDICATED Joh_12:1 - Joh_12:11 . Jesus came from Jericho, where He had left Zacchaeus rejoicing in the salvation that had come to his house, and whence Bartimaeus, rejoicing in His new power of vision, seems to have followed Him. A few hours brought Him to Bethany, and we know from other Evangelists what a tension of purpose marked Him, and awed the disciples, as He pressed on before them up the rocky way. His mind was full of the struggle and death... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' 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... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - John 12:1-50

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 His heart, pressed closely to Him, and sacramentally expressed her love. Judas, blinded in self-interest, criticized her action, and so revealed himself as utterly opposed to the very spirit of the Lord Himself. From Bethany Jesus passed to Jerusalem, where a stupendous outburst of welcome... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - John 12:1-11

Mary Anointing Her Lord John 12:1-11 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. It is the story of Mary breaking the alabaster box upon the feet of her Lord. The first verse says, "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead." We wish, by way of introduction, to briefly state the events of the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:1

‘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 hesitate to put Himself in danger. The visit to Bethany, only two miles from Jerusalem, and to Lazarus, (although He was staying at the house of Simon the Leper - Mark 14:3) drew the attention of His enemies to Him for it re-aroused the interest in what had happened there (John 12:9). But Jesus... read more