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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 12:7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/12-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/43_Jhn_12_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 12:7 - Mary Anoints Jesus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Leave her alone, Jesus replied. 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She did this in preparation for my burial. <a href="/esv/john/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. <a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial. <a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that for the day of My burial she may keep it. <a href="/kjv/john/12.htm">King James Bible</a> Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. <a href="/nkjv/john/12.htm">New King James Version</a> But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. <a href="/nasb_/john/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. <a href="/nasb/john/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> Therefore Jesus said, &#8220Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. <a href="/nasb77/john/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Jesus therefore said, “Let her alone, in order that she may keep it for the day of My burial. <a href="/lsb/john/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. <a href="/amp/john/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep [the rest of] it for the day of My burial. <a href="/csb/john/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. <a href="/hcsb/john/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Jesus answered, &#8220Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial. <a href="/asv/john/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying. <a href="/cev/john/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus replied, "Leave her alone! She has kept this perfume for the day of my burial. <a href="/erv/john/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying. <a href="/gwt/john/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jesus said to Judas, "Leave her alone! She has done this to prepare me for the day I will be placed in a tomb. <a href="/gnt/john/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> But Jesus said, "Leave her alone! Let her keep what she has for the day of my burial. <a href="/isv/john/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then Jesus said, "Leave her alone so she can observe the day of my burial, <a href="/msb/john/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Leave her alone,? Jesus replied. ?She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial. <a href="/net/john/12.htm">NET Bible</a> So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has kept it for the day of my burial. <a href="/nheb/john/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But Jesus said, "Leave her alone, that she may keep this for the day of my burial. <a href="/wbt/john/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burial hath she kept this. <a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But Jesus interposed. "Do not blame her," He said, "allow her to have kept it for the time of my preparation for burial. <a href="/web/john/12.htm">World English Bible</a> But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Jesus, therefore, said, “Permit her; she has kept it for the day of My embalming, <a href="/blb/john/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that for the day of My burial she may keep it. <a href="/ylt/john/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Jesus, therefore, said, 'Suffer her; for the day of my embalming she hath kept it, <a href="/slt/john/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then said Jesus, Let her go; for the day of my interment has she kept this.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Jesus therefore said: Let her alone, that she may keep it against the day of my burial. <a href="/cpdv/john/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But Jesus said: “Permit her, so that she may keep it against the day of my burial. <a href="/nabre/john/12.htm">New American Bible</a> So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. <a href="/nrsvce/john/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Jesus then said, Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But Yeshua said, “Let her alone, for she has kept it for the day of my burial.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then Jesus said: Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of my burial. <a href="/godbey/john/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then Jesus said, <FR>Let her alone; she hath reserved this unto the day of my burial;<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then said Jesus, Let her alone: for the day of my burial hath she reserved this. <a href="/mace/john/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> then said Jesus, let her alone: against the day of my burial hath she kept this. <a href="/wey/john/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But Jesus interposed. "Do not blame her," He said, "allow her to have kept it for the time of my preparation for burial. <a href="/worrell/john/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Jesus, therefore, said, <FR>"Suffer her to keep it for the day of My burial;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Jesus therefore said, <FR>Let her alone, she hath reserved this <Fr>as<FR> for the day of my burial.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/12-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=4380" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/12.htm">Mary Anoints Jesus</a> …6Judas 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 take from what was put into it. 7<a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: Aphes (V-AMA-2S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">“Leave her alone,” </a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">replied.</a> <a href="/greek/5083.htm" title="5083: tērēsē (V-ASA-3S) -- From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold.">“She has kept</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auto (PPro-AN3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">this perfume</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">in preparation</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmeran (N-AFS) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. ">day</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">My</a> <a href="/greek/1780.htm" title="1780: entaphiasmou (N-GMS) -- Embalming, preparation of a body for burial. From entaphiazo; preparation for interment.">burial.</a> 8The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/26-12.htm">Matthew 26:12</a> By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial. <a href="/mark/14-8.htm">Mark 14:8</a> She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial. <a href="/john/11-2.htm">John 11:2</a> (Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.) <a href="/john/19-39.htm">John 19:39-40</a> Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. / So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. <a href="/luke/7-37.htm">Luke 7:37-38</a> When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. / As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume. <a href="/matthew/26-6.htm">Matthew 26:6-13</a> While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, / a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. / When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? ... <a href="/mark/14-3.htm">Mark 14:3-9</a> While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. / Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? / It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ... <a href="/john/13-1.htm">John 13:1</a> It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end. <a href="/john/19-25.htm">John 19:25</a> Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. <a href="/john/20-1.htm">John 20:1</a> Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. <a href="/1_samuel/2-30.htm">1 Samuel 2:30</a> Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. <a href="/2_kings/4-9.htm">2 Kings 4:9-10</a> Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.” <a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a> You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. <a href="/psalms/45-7.htm">Psalm 45:7-8</a> You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy. / All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad. <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1-3</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, / to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying has she kept this.Let.<a href="/psalms/109-31.htm">Psalm 109:31</a> For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.<a href="/zechariah/3-2.htm">Zechariah 3:2</a> And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?<a href="/matthew/26-10.htm">Matthew 26:10</a> When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.against.<a href="/john/19-38.htm">John 19:38-42</a> And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus… <a href="/matthew/26-12.htm">Matthew 26:12</a> For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.<a href="/matthew/27-57.htm">Matthew 27:57-60</a> When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/18-16.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/john/11-48.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/job/1-22.htm">Blame</a> <a href="/luke/7-13.htm">Burial</a> <a href="/mark/14-8.htm">Burying</a> <a href="/mark/14-8.htm">Embalming</a> <a href="/john/6-15.htm">Intended</a> <a href="/john/7-50.htm">Interposed</a> <a href="/john/12-4.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/11-56.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/john/11-48.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/john/12-5.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/john/4-36.htm">Preparation</a> <a href="/john/6-46.htm">Save</a> <a href="/john/11-44.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/john/11-55.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/2-27.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/john/12-24.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/romans/9-19.htm">Blame</a> <a href="/john/19-40.htm">Burial</a> <a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Burying</a> <a href="/genesis/50-3.htm">Embalming</a> <a href="/acts/5-33.htm">Intended</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-17.htm">Interposed</a> <a href="/john/12-9.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/13-29.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/john/14-18.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-15.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/john/19-14.htm">Preparation</a> <a href="/john/12-13.htm">Save</a> <a href="/john/18-8.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/john/12-16.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">John 12</div>1. <a href="/john/12-1.htm">Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.</a> 9. <a href="/john/12-9.htm">The people flock to see Lazarus.</a> 10. <a href="/john/12-10.htm">The chief priests consult to kill him.</a> 12. <a href="/john/12-12.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem.</a> 20. <a href="/john/12-20.htm">Greeks desire to see Jesus.</a> 23. <a href="/john/12-23.htm">He foretells his death.</a> 37. <a href="/john/12-37.htm">The people are generally blinded;</a> 42. <a href="/john/12-42.htm">yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;</a> 44. <a href="/john/12-44.htm">therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. In this passage, Jesus is addressing Judas Iscariot, who criticized Mary for anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. This command to "leave her alone" highlights Jesus' defense of Mary's actions, emphasizing the importance of her devotion over material concerns. The cultural context of the time placed significant value on hospitality and honor, and Mary's act was a profound expression of both. Jesus' response also underscores His authority and the respect He commands among His followers."She has kept this perfume" The perfume, identified as pure nard, was a costly and rare substance, often imported from India. Its use here signifies the depth of Mary's love and reverence for Jesus. The act of keeping or reserving such a valuable item for a specific purpose indicates foresight and intentionality. In the cultural context, anointing with oil or perfume was a sign of honor and consecration, often reserved for kings or significant religious figures."in preparation for the day of My burial." This phrase foreshadows Jesus' impending death and burial, which He had been predicting to His disciples. The act of anointing was traditionally associated with burial practices, where bodies were prepared with spices and perfumes to honor the deceased and mitigate the odor of decay. This prophetic action by Mary aligns with Old Testament practices and prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and death, such as those found in <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>. It also serves as a type of Christ, prefiguring His sacrificial death and the anointing He would receive posthumously by the women at the tomb.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/mary.htm">Mary</a> A devoted follower of Jesus, sister to Martha and Lazarus. She anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, demonstrating her deep love and reverence for Him. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure of the passage, who acknowledges and defends Mary's actions as preparation for His burial. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judas_iscariot.htm">Judas Iscariot</a> One of Jesus' disciples, who criticizes Mary's use of the expensive perfume, revealing his lack of understanding and ulterior motives. 4. <a href="/topical/b/bethany.htm">Bethany</a> The village where this event takes place, home to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, and a place where Jesus often found refuge. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_anointing.htm">The Event of Anointing</a> Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, an act of worship and prophetic significance, foreshadowing His impending death and burial.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_worship.htm">The Value of Worship</a> Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume demonstrates that true worship is costly and sacrificial. We are called to offer our best to God, not out of obligation, but out of love and reverence. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_mission.htm">Understanding Jesus' Mission</a> Jesus' response to Judas highlights the importance of understanding His mission and the significance of His impending death. As believers, we must grasp the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and its implications for our lives. <a href="/topical/d/defending_acts_of_devotion.htm">Defending Acts of Devotion</a> Jesus defends Mary's actions against criticism, teaching us to stand firm in our expressions of faith and devotion, even when misunderstood by others. <a href="/topical/t/the_temporal_vs._the_eternal.htm">The Temporal vs. the Eternal</a> Judas' focus on the monetary value of the perfume contrasts with Mary's focus on the eternal significance of honoring Jesus. We are reminded to prioritize eternal values over temporal concerns. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_jesus'_return.htm">Preparation for Jesus' Return</a> Just as Mary prepared Jesus for His burial, we are called to live in a state of readiness for His return, dedicating our lives to His service and glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 12</a> <a href="/q/what's_bethlehem's_biblical_role.htm">What was the purpose of Jesus being anointed?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_spikenard_in_the_bible.htm">What does spikenard refer to in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_was_jesus_anointed.htm">What was the purpose of Jesus being anointed?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_matthew's_anointing_differ.htm">In Matthew 26:6-13, why does the anointing scene differ from similar accounts in other Gospels regarding the woman's identity and purpose of the act?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) Against the day of my burying hath she kept this.--The majority of the better MSS. read, "that she keep this against the day of My burying." Comp. <a href="/matthew/26-12.htm" title="For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.">Matthew 26:12</a> and <a href="/mark/14-8.htm" title="She has done what she could: she is come beforehand to anoint my body to the burying.">Mark 14:8</a>. The thought here differs from that in the earlier Gospels, and the common reading has therefore been adapted to harmonise with it. Taking the better text, the meaning here is, "Let her alone, that she may keep this for the day of My embalmment." She had taken a pound of ointment (<a href="/john/12-3.htm" title="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 odor of the ointment.">John 12:3</a>) and had anointed His feet. This reminds Him of the embalmment of the dead, which had been but lately in that very place, and in the person of one sitting with them, present to their minds. Her act is significant of the future which is approaching. Let them not stay that deed of love. Before the week ends His body will be carried to the sepulchre. The preparations for the grave have already been begun.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - The two readings of the text must here be compared with one another and with the synoptic narrative. The T.R. reads, Let her alone: unto the day of the preparation for my burial she has carefully guarded this precious perfume. This is, in one sense, that very day, and she has found out the solemn fact in a way in which the disciples had as yet failed to do. With this agrees the language of the synoptists," Why trouble ye the woman? she hath wrought a good work on me;... she hath done that which was possible to her (ο{ ἐσχεν ἐποίησεν)" of <a href="/mark/14-8.htm">Mark 14:8</a>. In fact, Mark expressly conveys this thought - "she has anticipated the anointing of my body for the burial." If we have the direct testimony of Mark (i.e. Peter), Christ must have expressed himself thus. Matthew also in different words records the same pathetic and subtle thought: "For in that she poured [cast] this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial" (John 26:12) Hengstenberg, Godet, and Stier abide by the reading of the T.R.; but the principal manuscripts, in most powerful combination, have led Lachmann, Alford, Tischendorf, and Westcott and Hort to read here, Ἵνα εἰς τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ τηρήση αὐτό, "In order that she may keep or guard this for the day of my burial." Westcott says that the synoptists imply rather, by the word κατέχεεν, that She had not already consumed the whole of the ointment. Meyer, with this text, translates, "Let her alone, that she may preserve it (this ointment, of which she has just poured some over my feet) for the day of my embalmment." This certainly seems inconsistent with the complaint of the disciples or of Judas, at the apparently superfluous expenditure, and would compel us to restrict the abed to the unused portion. The advocates of the T.R. reading say that it represents the original text, which has been altered by criticism arising from misunderstanding of the idea of the day of burial having ideally arrived; but why did they not alter on the same principle the language of the synoptists? The advocates of Lachmann's text say that it has been altered by copyists, to bring it into accord with the text of the synoptists. Lange justifies the Revised Version, "Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying," and puts it thus: "Permit her to keep it [i.e. to have kept the ointment which she might have used at the burial of Lazarus] for the day of my burial," now ideally present in the outbreak of Judas's devilish malignity. So virtually Luthardt and Baumgarten-Crusius. Godet argues that this is forced and ungrammatical. But there is this advantage in it, that it brings the language into much closer relation with the synoptists. Westcott prefers the idea of Meyer. The older view is to me far mere satisfactory. Edersheim (2:35) adds to this, "Mary may have had that alabaster box from early days, before she had learned to serve Christ. When she understood that decease of which he constantly spake, she may have put it aside, "kept it," "against the day of his burying." And now the decisive hour is come. <a href="/commentaries/john/12-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Leave her alone,” Ἄφες (Aphes) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. replied. Εἶπεν (Eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “She was intended ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. to keep τηρήσῃ (tērēsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5083.htm">Strong's 5083: </a> From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. [this perfume] αὐτό (auto) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. to prepare for εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. day ἡμέραν (hēmeran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. of τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. My μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. burial. ἐνταφιασμοῦ (entaphiasmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1780.htm">Strong's 1780: </a> Embalming, preparation of a body for burial. From entaphiazo; preparation for interment. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/12-7.htm">NT Gospels: John 12:7 But Jesus said Leave her alone (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/12-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 12:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 12:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/12-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 12:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 12:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>