Jesus is anointed at Bethany

6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,

7a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?

9This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”

10Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.

11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

12By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.

13Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

3While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.

4Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?

5It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

6But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.

7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.

8She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.

9And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

1Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

2So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.

3Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,

5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

6Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.

7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.

8The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”