Jesus Anointed at Bethany

14 It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating,[a] a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages[b] and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 14:3 Or reclining.
  2. 14:5 Greek for 300 denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage.

Bible Gateway Recommends

NLT One Year Chronological Bible, Large Print Softcover
NLT One Year Chronological Bible, Large Print Softcover
Retail: $26.99
Our Price: $21.99
Save: $5.00 (19%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
NLT Boys Life Application Study Bible, LeatherLike, Midnight/Blue
NLT Boys Life Application Study Bible, LeatherLike, Midnight/Blue
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $39.99
Save: $10.00 (20%)
NLT Gospel of John, pack of 10
NLT Gospel of John, pack of 10
Retail: $11.99
Our Price: $9.99
Save: $2.00 (17%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
NLT glipit Bible, Purple Silicone
NLT glipit Bible, Purple Silicone
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $9.99
Save: $15.00 (60%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
NLT Daily Reader's Bible, hardcover
NLT Daily Reader's Bible, hardcover
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $7.99
Save: $22.00 (73%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars