John 12:3-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 12:1-11

In these verses we have, I. The kind visit our Lord Jesus paid to his friends at Bethany, John 12:1. He came up out of the country, six days before the passover, and took up at Bethany, a town which, according to the computation of our metropolis, lay so near Jerusalem as to be within the bills of mortality. He lodged here with his friend Lazarus, whom he had lately raised from the dead. His coming to Bethany now may be considered, 1. As a preface to the passover he intended to celebrate, to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 12:12-19

This story of Christ's riding in triumph to Jerusalem is recorded by all the evangelists, as worthy of special remark; and in it we may observe, I. The respect that was paid to our Lord Jesus by the common people, John 12:12, 13, where we are told, 1. Who they were that paid him this respect: much people, ochlos polys?a great crowd of those that came up to the feast; not the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but the country people that came from remote parts to worship at the feast; the nearer the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:1-8

12:1-8 Now six days before the Passover Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom he raised from the dead. So they made him a meal there, and Martha was serving while Lazarus was one of those who reclined at table with him. Now Mary took a pound of very precious genuine spikenard ointment, and anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the perfume of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, the one who was going to betray him,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:1-8

(iii) There is the character of Judas. There are three things here about him. (a) We see Jesus' trust in Judas. As far back as John 6:70-71 , John shows us Jesus well aware that there was a traitor within the ranks. It may well be that he tried to touch Judas' heart by making him the treasurer of the apostolic company. It may well be that he tried to appeal to his sense of honour. It may well be that he was saying in effect to him: "Judas, here's something that you can do for me. Here is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:9-11

12:9-11 The mob of the Jews knew that Jesus was there; and they came, not only because of Jesus, but to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. The chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were withdrawing from them because of him and were coming to believe in Jesus. For the leaders of the Jews things were getting into an impossible position. This was specially the case for the Sadducees, to which party belonged all the priests, for them the position was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:12-19

12:12-19 On the next day the great crowd that was coming to the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took the branches of palm trees and went out to meet him. They kept up a shout: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, he who is the King of Israel!" Jesus found a young ass and sat on it, as it stands written: "Fear not, daughter of Zion. Look! Your King is coming sitting upon an ass' colt." At first the disciples did not realize the significance of... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:12-19

(iii) In such a situation it was obviously impossible for Jesus to speak to the crowd. His voice could not have reached that vast assembly of people. So he did something that all could see; he came riding upon an ass' colt. Now that was two things. First, it was a deliberate claim to be the Messiah. It was a dramatic enactment of the words of Zechariah the prophet ( Zechariah 9:9 ). John does not quote accurately because obviously he is quoting from memory. Zechariah had said: "Rejoice... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:3

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; See Gill on Matthew 26:7 , See Gill on 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 ; See Gill on Luke 7:38 . And the house was filled with the odour of the ointment ; see ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:4

Then saith one of his disciples ,.... Who had no true love for his master, was an hypocrite, and a covetous person: Judas Iscariot ; so called, to distinguish him from another Judas, an apostle; See Gill on Matthew 10:4 . Simon's son ; this is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; See Gill on John 13:2 ; which should betray him ; and so he did; this was pre-determined by God, foretold in prophecy, and foreknown by Christ; and is observed here,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:5

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence ,.... Meaning Roman pence, one of which is, of the value of our money, seven pence halfpenny; so that three hundred pence amount to nine pounds seven shillings and six pence: and given to the poor ? this was his pretence, and with which he covered himself; his uneasiness was, because it was not sold, and the money put into his hands, as appears by what follows. read more

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