John 12:3

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - John 12:1-50

APPROACH THE HOLY OF HOLIES A footnote of the Scofield Bible which suggests the title of this lesson is well worth quoting: Chapters 12-17 are a progression according to the order of approach to God in the Tabernacle types. Chapter 12 in which Christ speaks of His death answers to the brazen altar of burnt offering, type of the cross. Passing from the altar toward the holy of holies, the laver is next reached answering to chapter 13. With his associate priests now purified, the High Priest... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - John 12:1-50

Walking In the Light Joh 12:35 According to the Revised Version the text reads, "Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not." This word "while" is full of significance and energy. Christ used it more than once. It indicates opportunity, chance, occasion. It is as if one should say, Now is the time: be no longer languid, reluctant, dull of heart; now, behold, this is the day: arise, know the light, and receive it with thankfulness. Jesus Christ himself said, "I must work... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - John 12:1-11

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 of them that sat at the table with him. (3) 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. (4) Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son,... 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