What does John 12:3 mean?
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment." - John 12:3
John 12:3 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment."
This verse depicts an incredibly intimate and tender moment between Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and Jesus. In this commentary, we will unpack the various elements of this verse, including the context, themes, and symbolism.
Context:
This passage takes place in Bethany, where Jesus was having dinner at the home of Simon the leper. As they were reclining at the table, Mary took a pound of expensive ointment made of pure nard and anointed Jesus' feet with it. This act of devotion and humility occurred just a few days before Jesus' crucifixion, making it a poignant and significant moment in the narrative of Jesus' life.
Themes:
The primary themes in this passage include sacrifice, devotion, and the cost of discipleship. Mary's actions exemplify deep devotion and sacrificial love for Jesus. She willingly gave up something valuable (the costly ointment) to honor and minister to Jesus. Additionally, her humility is evident as she uses her hair to wipe Jesus' feet, a gesture of utmost reverence and submission. This act of selflessness and devotion serves as a model of discipleship, highlighting the theme of giving without reservation and prioritizing the worship of Jesus above all else.
Another theme present in this passage is the concept of honoring Jesus through symbolic acts. Anointing was a common practice in the Bible, often associated with consecration and recognition of someone's authority. Mary's anointing of Jesus' feet symbolizes her acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah and her desire to honor and prepare Him for His impending death. It also serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus' eventual anointing for burial, as he mentions in the following verse.
Symbolism:
The use of the expensive ointment, spikenard, holds symbolic significance in this passage. Nard was a precious and rare perfume, imported from India, and thus, it was extremely costly. By using such a valuable substance to anoint Jesus, Mary demonstrated her willingness to offer her best to the Lord. This act symbolizes the idea of giving our most precious possessions and resources to honor and serve the Lord.
Furthermore, Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair carries profound symbolism. In ancient culture, washing someone's feet was a task reserved for servants, highlighting Mary's humility and willingness to serve. Her use of her hair to dry His feet showcases her deep reverence and submission to Jesus. This symbolic act of servanthood reflects the overarching theme of radical devotion and selfless love for Christ.
The impact of Mary's anointing is further underscored by the description of the fragrance filling the house. The aroma of the ointment permeating the space symbolizes the spreading of Mary's act of devotion and sacrifice as a witness to those present, effectively leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.
In conclusion, John 12:3 offers a profound portrayal of deep devotion, sacrificial love, and humble service to Jesus. Mary's act of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive ointment and wiping them with her hair serves as a powerful example of worship and discipleship. This passage challenges us to consider the depth of our devotion to Christ and the cost of following Him wholeheartedly. It calls us to emulate Mary's sacrificial love and humble submission in our own lives, giving our best to honor and serve the Lord.
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John 12:3 Artwork
John 12:3
John 12:3 - "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment."
John 12:3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. NKJV
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
John 12:3 (KJV) 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment." - John 12:3
John 12:3-6 - "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He 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 help himself to what was put into it."
"Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He 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 help himself to what was put into it." - John 12:3-6
Matthew 3:11-12
John 3:12 - "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
Matthew 3:11-12
3 John 1:12 - "Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true."
1 John 3:12 - "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous."
"Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?" - Luke 3:12
John 3:3
John 3:24 - "For John was not yet cast into prison."
John 6:12
John 8:12
John 3:3-8
John 12:25
John 8:12