John 12:1-9

1Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom He had raised from the dead.

2So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.

3Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

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

5“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and [the money] given to the poor?”

6Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor [for he had never cared about them], but because he was a thief; and since he had the money box [serving as treasurer for the twelve disciples], he used to pilfer what was put into it.

7So Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep [the rest of] it for the day of My burial.

8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

9A large crowd of Jews learned that He was there [at Bethany]; and they came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.