John 12:3
What does John 12:3 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:3 means
Mary’s costly, fragrant nard poured on Jesus’ feet and wiped with her hair displays humble, unreserved love. It is uncalculated worship—expensive, intimate, and publicly noticeable as the aroma fills the house. Kneeling at His feet, she takes the low place; wiping with her hair, she identifies herself with Him in a way that risks social scorn. Her act anticipates His death, though she may not fully grasp how soon it is. The beauty of the moment lies not only in the perfume’s value but in the heart behind it: she deems Jesus worthy of her best, and her devotion affects everyone present.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Mary, taking a pound of perfumed oil of great value, put it on the feet of Jesus and made them dry with her hair: and the house became full of the smell of the perfume.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Mary, therefore, having taken a pound of ointment of spikenard, of great price, anointed the feet of Jesus and did wipe with her hair his feet, and the house was filled from the fragrance of the ointment.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Mary therefore, having taken a pound of ointment of pure nard of great price, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Context
From the quiet of a meal, the focus turns to a singular act that will define the evening. Mary’s anointing provokes immediate reaction, revealing contrasting values among Jesus’ followers. Judas will object to the waste, and John will expose his motive. Jesus will defend Mary and connect her action to His burial. This episode lays down the chapter’s first major theme: how people respond to Jesus’ worth—either with sacrificial honor or with calculating self-interest.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 7:37
And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
- Song of Solomon 1:3
Thine oils have a goodly fragrance; Thy name is as oil poured forth; Therefore do the virgins love thee.
- Matthew 26:6
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
- Song of Solomon 4:13
Thy shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, with precious fruits; Henna with spikenard plants,
- Luke 7:46
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment.
- John 11:32
Mary therefore, when she came where Jesus was, and saw him, fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
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