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Scripture · New Testament

John 12:3

John 12:3 is verse 3 of John chapter 12, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Greek a litra; that is, approximately 12 ounces or 340 grams

BSB source and public domain terms

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.

a Roman pound of 12 ounces, or about 340 grams

Read in context

John 12:1–5 · Berean Standard Bible

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

2 So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.

3 Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,

5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

Read all of John 12

Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

John 11:2

(Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.)

John 11:28

After Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside to tell her, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”

John 11:32

When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Matthew 26:6

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,

Matthew 26:7

a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

Matthew 26:8

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?

Matthew 26:9

This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”

Matthew 26:10

Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.

Matthew 26:11

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

Matthew 26:12

By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.

Matthew 26:13

Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Mark 14:3

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.

Mark 14:4

Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?

Mark 14:5

It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

Mark 14:6

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.

Mark 14:7

The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.

Mark 14:8

She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.

Mark 14:9

And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Luke 10:38

As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

Luke 10:39

She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.

Psalms 132:2

how he swore an oath to the LORD, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

Song of Solomon 1:12

While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.

Song of Solomon 4:10

How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.

Song of Solomon 4:13

Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,

Song of Solomon 4:14

with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.

Luke 7:37

When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.

Luke 7:38

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.

Luke 7:46

You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume.

Song of Solomon 1:3

The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you.

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