John 12:1
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Six days before the Passover Jesus came on His way from Jericho to Jerusalem to Bethany where Lazarus lived whom He had raised from the dead, and stayed at the family home over the Sabbath to rest from His labors away from the strife and enmity of the priests and rulers who were plotting to kill Him. Simon whom He had healed of leprosy made a supper there to honor Him, and Jesus sat at table with Simon on one side and Lazarus on the other while Martha served and Mary listened earnestly to His teaching. The raising of Lazarus had drawn crowds to Bethany to see Lazarus as a living witness that Jesus was the Son of God and to see and hear Jesus, heightening expectation about His going up to the Passover. Mary's pouring of costly spikenard on His feet until its perfume filled the house grew from deep gratitude for her brother's restoration to life and for Christ's forgiveness and deliverance of her, and He accepted it as a good work in preparation for His burial that would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. Judas objected that it should have been sold and given to the poor, but his concern was a pretext for covetousness and selfish desire for control of the money, and when reproved his wounded pride stirred revenge, showing how long-indulged greed brings a person under sin's control. Those who receive His pardoning love do not weigh the cost as Judas did but regret that their offering is not more valuable, and His generous presence at such a social gathering gave opportunity to know His character and hear His teachings in contrast to the self-righteous narrowness of the Pharisees.
Time, Place and Company
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany on His way from Jericho to Jerusalem for the feast. Bethany was the place where Lazarus lived after Jesus had raised him from the dead. He stopped there for rest and refreshment at the house of Lazarus and planned to spend the Sabbath there.
He stayed at the Lazarus family home and rested there over the Sabbath. There He found quiet rest and refreshment from His labors, free from the strife, prejudice, criticism, accusation and enmity of the priests and rulers. His words and presence there came just before His betrayal and death. At that time the priests and Pharisees were plotting at Jerusalem to kill Him and Lazarus, and after raising Lazarus He had been obliged to seclude Himself to escape persecution by the leading Jews. He was sad, bearing the necessities and woes of humanity, yet He did not check or repulse human sympathy.
At Bethany Simon, whom Jesus had healed of leprosy, made a supper to show Jesus special honor. He invited Jesus and His friends and disciples as guests, and Jesus accepted. At the table Jesus sat with Simon on one side and Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead, on the other, while Martha served at the table and Mary listened earnestly to every word that fell from His lips. He used the gathering to teach and showed generous regard for those whose home He visited.
The raising of Lazarus drew crowds to Bethany. Some came from curiosity to see Lazarus, and others came from care for Jesus to see and hear Him. Lazarus was a visible witness to Jesus' power through his restored life. He testified with assurance that Jesus was the Son of God. The reports from Bethany heightened public excitement, so that people wondered whether Jesus would go to Jerusalem and be crowned king at the Passover.
Worship, Character and Lessons
Mary's anointing sprang from deep gratitude for the restoration of her brother from the grave to the strength of perfect health and life, and for Christ's own forgiveness and deliverance of her from despair and demonic control. She looked on her brother with thankfulness, having learned from Jesus who saw possibilities for good in her and helped her overcome through His strength and grace. She expressed her love by pouring costly spikenard ointment on His feet until its perfume filled the house. Her act honored Jesus in preparation for His burial, was a good work that He accepted, and He declared it would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. She remained near Him at the cross and tomb and first proclaimed that He had risen.
Judas objected that the ointment could have been sold and given to the poor, but his concern for the poor was a pretext. He was covetous and selfish, wanted control of the money, prized Jesus only enough to sell Him for a few pieces of silver, and resented a generous offering to his Lord. When Jesus reproved him his wounded pride stirred desire for revenge, showing how greed long indulged brings a person under sin's control. His presence among the disciples shows that opposition to Christ's true work can arise from within.
Jesus' presence and generous conduct at such a social supper gave people opportunity to know His character and hear His teachings. He accepted the invitation made in His honor, used the gathering to teach, and showed generous regard for those whose home He visited. His character thus seen differed from the Pharisees' self-righteousness and narrow ideas of salvation. In coming there divinity enshrouded in humanity moved among men bearing the clear credentials of heaven, bearing the necessities and woes of humanity yet not checking or repulsing human sympathy.
The account teaches that those who receive His pardoning love and saving gift do not weigh the offering's cost as Judas did but regret that it is not more valuable. Love for Christ moves His followers to give generously for the good of others.