John 12:1–9

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^a 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^b 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,^c but you will not always have Me.”

⁹Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.