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Gjoni 12:3
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from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
took: John 11:2, John 11:28, John 11:32, Matthew 26:6, Matthew 26:7-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 10:38, Luke 10:39
ointment: Psalms 132:2, Song of Solomon 1:12, Song of Solomon 4:10, Song of Solomon 4:13, Song of Solomon 4:14
spikenard: Spikenard is a highly a romatic plant growing in India, whence was made a very valuable unguent or perfume, used at the ancient baths and feasts. It is identified by Sir W. Jones with the sumbul of the Persians and Arabs, and jatamansi of the Hindoos; and he considers it a species of the valerian, of the triandria monogynia class of plants. The root is from three to twelve inches long, fibrous, sending up above the earth between thirty and forty ears or spikes, from which it has its name; stem, lower part perennial, upper part herbaceous, sub-erect, simple, from six to twelve inches long; leaves entire, smooth, fourfold, the inner radical pair petioled and cordate, the rest sessile and lanceolate; pericarp, a single seed crowned with a pappus.
anointed: Mark 14:3, Luke 7:37, Luke 7:38, Luke 7:46
filled: Song of Solomon 1:3
Reciprocal: Exodus 30:35 - perfume Psalms 133:2 - It is like Proverbs 27:9 - Ointment Proverbs 27:16 - the ointment Amos 6:6 - chief Matthew 28:9 - and held Philippians 4:18 - an Revelation 18:13 - cinnamon
Gill's Notes on the Bible
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; :-,
:-, 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; :-.
And the house was filled with the odour of the ointment; see Song of Solomon 1:3; ointment of spikenard was very odoriferous: this may be an emblem of the sweet savour of Christ, in the ministration of the Gospel, throughout the whole world.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 26:3-16.
John 12:2
A supper - At the house of Simon the leper, Matthew 26:6.
Lazarus was ... - The names of Martha and Lazarus are mentioned because it was not in their own house, but in that of Simon. Lazarus is particularly mentioned, since it was so remarkable that one who had been once dead should be enjoying again the endearments of friendship. This shows, also, that his resurrection was no illusion - that he was really restored to the blessings of life and friendship. Calmet thinks that this was about two months after his resurrection, and it is the last that we hear of him. How long he lived is unknown, nor is it recorded that he made any communication about the world of spirits. It is remarkable that none who have been restored to life from the dead have made any communications respecting that world. See Luke 16:31, and the notes at 2 Corinthians 12:4.
John 12:4
Which should betray him - Greek, “who was to betray him” - that is, who would do it.
John 12:5
Three hundred pence - About 40,00, or 8 British pounds, 10 shillings (circa 1880’s).
And given to the poor - The avails or value of it given to the poor.
John 12:6
Had the bag - The word translated “bag” is compounded of two words, meaning “tongue,” and “to keep or preserve.” It was used to denote the bag in which musicians used to keep the tongues or reeds of their pipes when traveling. Hence, it came to mean any bag or purse in which travelers put their money or their most precious articles. The disciples appear to have had such a bag or purse in common, in which they put whatever money they had, and which was designed especially for the poor, Luke 8:3; John 13:29; Acts 2:44. The keeping of this, it seems, was intrusted to Judas; and it is remarkable that the only one among them who appears to have been naturally avaricious should have received this appointment. It shows us that every man is tried according to his native propensity. This is the object of trial - to bring out man’s native character; and every man will find opportunity to do evil according to his native disposition, if he is inclined, to it.
And bare ... - The word translated “bare” means literally “to carry as a burden.” Then it means “to carry away,” as in John 20:15; “If thou hast borne him hence.” Hence, it means to carry away as a thief does, and this is evidently its meaning here. It has this sense often in classic writers. Judas was a thief and stole what was put into the bag. The money he desired to be entrusted to him, that he might secretly enrich himself. It is clear, however, that the disciples did not at this time know that this was his character, or they would have remonstrated against him. They learned it afterward. We may learn here:
1.That it is not a new thing for members of the church to be covetous. Judas was so before them.
2.That such members will be those who complain of the great waste in spreading the gospel.
3.That this deadly, mean, and grovelling passion will work all evil in a church. It brought down the curse of God on the children of Israel in the case of Achan Joshua 7:0, and it betrayed our Lord to death. It has often since brought blighting on the church; and many a time it has betrayed the cause of Christ, and drowned men in destruction and perdition, 1 Timothy 6:9.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse John 12:3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment — Matthew 26:7; Matthew 26:7; see also Clarke "Mark 14:3". It does not seem the most likely that this was the same transaction with that mentioned above. Some think that this was, notwithstanding that before is said to have been at the house of Simon the leper. The arguments, pro and con, are largely stated in the notes at the end of Matthew 26:0, Matthew 26:75; Matthew 26:75. to which I beg leave to refer the reader.