Study Desk

Jesus Anointed at Bethany^(a)

Six days before the Passover,^(b) Jesus came to Bethany,^(c) where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served,^(d) while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

Then Mary took about a pint^[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume;^(e) she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair.^(f) And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him,^(g) objected,

"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.^[b]"

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag,^(h) he used to help himself to what was put into it.

"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.⁽ⁱ⁾

You will always have the poor among you,^[c](j) but you will not always have me."

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.^(k)

So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

for on account of him^(l) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.^(m)

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

They took palm branches^(o) and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!^[d]" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"^[e](p) "Blessed is the king of Israel!"^(q)

Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

"Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."^[f](r)

At first his disciples did not understand all this.^(s) Only after Jesus was glorified^(t) did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

Now the crowd that was with him^(u) when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word.

Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign,^(v) went out to meet him.

So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"^(w)

Now there were some Greeks^(x) among those who went up to worship at the festival.

They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida^(y) in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus."

Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

Jesus replied, "The hour^(z) has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.^(aa)

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,^(ab) it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it^(ac) for eternal life.^(ad)

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.^(ae) My Father will honor the one who serves me.