Join Tim and John as they Have the 50th Episode! and study John Chapter 12 Verses 1-11.
Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning
Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/
Introduction to John 12:1-11
John 12 marks the beginning of Jesus’ final week before His crucifixion, often referred to as the Passion Week. This chapter serves as a turning point in John’s Gospel, shifting from Jesus’ public ministry to His journey toward the cross.
In John 12:1-11, we see a contrast between those who honor Jesus and those who oppose Him. The scene takes place in Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, just six days before the Passover.
Key Themes & Context
- Mary’s Extravagant Worship (John 12:1-3)
- Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with a costly perfume (pure nard) and wipes them with her hair.
- This act is a symbol of devotion, love, and possibly a recognition of Jesus’ coming death.
- Judas Iscariot criticizes Mary, claiming the money could have helped the poor.
- John reveals Judas’ true motives—he was a thief, caring more about money than Jesus.
- This moment foreshadows Judas’ eventual betrayal.
- Jesus affirms Mary’s act, saying, "She has kept it for the day of My burial."
- He points to His imminent death, showing that His mission is reaching its climax.
- The chief priests plot to kill Lazarus because his resurrection leads many to believe in Jesus.
- Their hatred for Jesus extends to Lazarus, demonstrating their refusal to accept the truth.
Significance of This Passage
- Jesus is honored by some (Mary) and rejected by others (Jewish leaders).
- Mary’s act of worship foreshadows Jesus’ burial and reminds us that true disciples give their best to Jesus.
- Judas represents false discipleship—following Jesus for selfish gain rather than sincere faith.
- The plot against Lazarus shows the hardness of unbelief—some would rather destroy evidence than accept the truth.
Mary’s Extravagant Worship (John 12:1-3)
Context
This event takes place six days before the Passover, in Bethany, where Jesus had recently raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Jesus is at a dinner given in His honor, hosted by Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.
Mary’s Act of Worship
"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." (John 12:3, NKJV)
- A Costly Sacrifice
- Mary anoints Jesus with pure nard, an expensive perfume extracted from a rare plant found in India.
- This perfume was worth about 300 denarii—nearly a year’s wages for a laborer.
- This extravagant gift reflects her deep love, devotion, and recognition of Jesus’ worth.
- Anointing Jesus’ Feet
- In biblical culture, anointing was usually done on the head (see Mark 14:3), but Mary anoints Jesus’ feet.
- This act demonstrates humility and service, as only servants would touch someone’s feet.
- It is an act of worship, acknowledging Jesus as her Lord and King.
- Wiping His Feet with Her Hair
- In Jewish culture, women rarely let their hair down in public—it was seen as improper.
- By wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair, Mary shows total humility and surrender.
- This reflects her deep love and reverence, holding nothing back in her devotion.
- The Fragrance Filled the House
- The perfume’s scent symbolizes how Mary’s worship impacted everyone around her.
- True worship has a lasting effect—not just on the worshiper, but on those who witness it.
Spiritual Significance
- A Foreshadowing of Jesus’ Death
- Jesus later says, "She has kept this for the day of My burial." (John 12:7)
- This act symbolizes the anointing of Jesus' body for burial, showing that Mary may have understood His coming death better than the disciples.
- Mary’s gift was extravagant and sacrificial—it cost her greatly.
- True worship involves giving our best to Jesus, whether in time, resources, or devotion.
- By anointing Jesus’ feet and wiping them with her hair, Mary models humility and love.
- Worship is not about status or recognition but about surrendering ourselves to Jesus.
- The fragrance filled the house—a reminder that genuine worship leaves a lasting impact on others.
Application for Today
- Are we willing to give Jesus our best, even when it costs us?
- Do we humbly submit to Christ, or do we seek recognition?
- Does our worship impact others, drawing them closer to Jesus?
Mary’s act of extravagant worship challenges us to give our whole hearts to Jesus, recognizing Him as our Lord and Savior.
Judas’ Hypocrisy (John 12:4-6)
Context
Mary had just anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, displaying an act of extravagant worship. However, not everyone in the room appreciated her devotion. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, reacted with criticism, revealing his hypocrisy.
Judas’ Complaint
"But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’" (John 12:4-5, NKJV)
- False Concern for the Poor
- Judas criticizes Mary’s offering, arguing that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor.
- His statement sounds noble and righteous on the surface, but his motives are far from pure.
- This shows how some people use religious or moral arguments to hide selfish intentions.
- The Value of the Perfume
- The 300 denarii Judas refers to was about a year’s wages for a common laborer.
- This indicates that Mary’s gift was extremely valuable—a great personal sacrifice.
John’s Commentary on Judas’ True Motives
"This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it." (John 12:6, NKJV)
- Judas Was a Thief
- As the group's treasurer, Judas was entrusted with handling Jesus and the disciples’ money.
- However, he regularly stole from the funds, prioritizing his greed over true ministry.
- This highlights how positions of trust can be misused when the heart is corrupt.
- Judas’ Hypocrisy
- He pretended to care about the poor while secretly helping himself to the money.
- His criticism of Mary was not about stewardship but about his own selfish gain.
- This is a powerful warning that outward religiosity does not always reflect inward righteousness.
Spiritual Lessons
- Not All Criticism Comes from Pure Motives
- Judas masked his greed under the guise of concern for the poor.
- Even today, some criticize acts of worship, generosity, or faithfulness for selfish reasons.
- Judas was so consumed by greed that he later betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16).
- 1 Timothy 6:10 warns: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
- Judas was among Jesus’ closest disciples, yet his heart was far from God.
- Outward religious actions mean nothing if the heart is filled with sin and self-interest.
Application for Today
- Do we criticize others' acts of worship while neglecting our own hearts?
- Are we genuine in our concern for others, or do we use moral arguments for personal gain?
- Is our love for money or material possessions affecting our spiritual life?
Judas serves as a warning of how greed and hypocrisy can blind us to Jesus’ true worth, ultimately leading to destruction.
Jesus’ Response: Preparing for His Burial (John 12:7-8)
Context
Judas Iscariot had just criticized Mary for anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, claiming the money should have been used to help the poor (John 12:4-6). However, Jesus knew Mary’s true intentions and Judas’ hidden hypocrisy. In response, Jesus defends Mary and reveals the deeper meaning behind her act of devotion.
Jesus’ Words
“Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.” (John 12:7-8, NKJV)
Key Themes in Jesus’ Response
- Defending Mary’s Act of Worship
- Jesus rebukes Judas: “Let her alone”—Mary’s act of worship was not to be criticized or diminished.
- Her devotion was genuine and heartfelt, while Judas’ concern was fake and selfish.
- Jesus affirms that extravagant love and worship are never wasted when directed toward Him.
- Jesus reveals that Mary’s anointing was preparation for His burial.
- In ancient Jewish customs, bodies were anointed with spices and oils before burial.
- Mary may not have fully understood the significance, but her act was prophetic—pointing toward Jesus’ coming death and sacrifice.
- Similar anointing occurred after Jesus’ death (Mark 16:1), but Mary’s was before His crucifixion, showing her deep devotion and spiritual sensitivity.
- “For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
- Jesus was not dismissing the importance of helping the poor—caring for the needy is a biblical command (Deuteronomy 15:11).
- However, this was a unique moment in history—Jesus, God in the flesh, was about to suffer and die for the sins of the world.
- Mary recognized this special moment and responded with extravagant love.
- The opportunity to serve Jesus in person was temporary, but helping the poor would always be possible.
Spiritual Lessons
- Jesus Deserves Our Best Worship
- Mary gave something costly and valuable as an act of worship—showing that Jesus is worthy of our most precious offerings.
- Do we offer our time, talents, and resources freely to Jesus, or do we hold back?
- Mary’s act of worship was criticized by Judas, just as true worship today is sometimes mocked or misunderstood.
- We should remain faithful to Jesus even when others question our devotion.
- Jesus’ statement reminds us to keep Him as our highest priority.
- Serving the poor is important, but nothing should replace our devotion to Christ.
- We must not miss the presence of Jesus by focusing only on external duties.
Application for Today
- Do we give Jesus our best in worship, or do we offer Him leftovers?
- Are we too focused on good works while neglecting our relationship with Christ?
- Do we defend acts of true devotion, or do we, like Judas, criticize what we do not understand?
Mary’s act reminds us that true worship is costly but beautiful, and Jesus is always worthy of our best.
The Growing Opposition (John 12:9-11)
Context
Following Mary’s anointing of Jesus (John 12:1-8), the news of Jesus’ presence in Bethany spread quickly. People flocked not only to see Jesus but also to witness Lazarus, whom Jesus had recently raised from the dead (John 11:43-44). This miraculous event led many to believe in Jesus, but it also intensified the hostility of the religious leaders.
Key Themes in the Growing Opposition
- Lazarus as a Living Testimony
- Lazarus’ resurrection was undeniable proof of Jesus’ divine power.
- Many people came to see both Jesus and Lazarus, confirming the miracle with their own eyes.
- As a result, more people placed their faith in Jesus, recognizing Him as the Messiah.
- The chief priests saw Lazarus as a threat because his resurrection led people away from their authority and toward Jesus.
- Instead of believing, they plotted to kill Lazarus to silence his testimony.
- Their rejection of Jesus was not due to a lack of evidence but because of their hardened hearts and desire to maintain power.
- Lazarus, simply by being alive, became a target of persecution.
- This foreshadowed the persecution that all believers would face for following Christ (John 15:18-20).
- Those who stand as living testimonies of Jesus' power will often face opposition from the world.
Spiritual Lessons
- True Faith in Jesus Challenges the World
- The more people believed in Jesus, the more the religious leaders resisted Him.
- Faith in Christ threatens worldly systems of power and control.
- Even today, opposition to the gospel often comes from those who fear losing influence, status, or control.
- Lazarus' life was in danger simply because his testimony pointed to Christ.
- Being a Christian may lead to rejection, persecution, or opposition (Matthew 10:22).
- However, Jesus calls us to boldly stand for Him, knowing that His truth is worth any cost (Matthew 16:24-25).
- The chief priests had every reason to believe, yet they refused.
- Miracles alone do not guarantee faith—people must have open hearts to receive God’s truth.
- Just as Pharaoh hardened his heart against God in Exodus, these leaders chose power over truth.
Application for Today
- Are we bold in our faith, even when opposition arises?
- Do we allow fear or pressure to silence our testimony?
- Are our hearts open to Jesus, or are we resisting Him for selfish reasons?
Lazarus' life was a living testimony to Jesus’ power, and so is ours when we follow Him. But with that testimony comes opposition, and we must stand firm in our faith, trusting that Jesus is worth it.
Conclusion to John 12:1-11
John 12:1-11 presents a powerful contrast between true devotion to Jesus and growing opposition against Him. These verses highlight Mary’s extravagant worship, Judas’ hypocrisy, Jesus’ response about His burial, and the increasing hostility from the religious leaders.
Key Takeaways from John 12:1-11
- Mary’s Worship Shows True Devotion (John 12:1-3)
- Mary’s anointing of Jesus with costly perfume demonstrates her deep love, humility, and faith.
- Her act foreshadows Jesus’ coming death and burial, signifying her spiritual insight.
- While Judas pretended to care for the poor, his true motives were selfish and deceitful.
- This moment reveals the difference between outward religiosity and genuine faith.
- Jesus affirms Mary’s act as preparation for His sacrificial death, showing that worship and devotion to Him take precedence.
- His words remind us to always prioritize Christ over worldly concerns.
- The religious leaders plot not only to kill Jesus but also Lazarus, because his resurrection led many to believe.
- Their reaction exposes the hardness of their hearts, as they reject undeniable evidence of Jesus' divine power.
Spiritual Lessons from John 12:1-11
- True worship is costly – Like Mary, we are called to give Jesus our best, even when it costs us personally.
- Greed and self-interest blind people to Jesus – Judas’ love of money kept him from fully following Christ.
- Faith in Jesus brings both belief and opposition – Just as Lazarus’ life pointed others to Jesus, our faith should be a living testimony, even if it leads to opposition.
Final Thought
This passage sets the stage for Jesus’ final days before the cross. It challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we like Mary, giving our best to Jesus? Or like Judas, pretending to care but living for ourselves? And are we willing to stand for Christ, even when opposition rises?
John 12:1-11 calls us to wholehearted devotion to Jesus—worshiping Him above all, standing firm in faith, and trusting in His ultimate plan.
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