was = came to be, as in Mat_26:20. Greek. ginomai.
Bethany. Note this return to Bethany from Jerusalem after His first entry in Mat_21:1-11, &c., and before His triumphal entry in Mar_11:1-10. Luk_19:29-38, and Joh_12:12-19. See App-156.
Simon. Showing this to be a second anointing, later than that of Joh_12:2-8. See App-158.
the leper. Figure of speech Ampliatio (App-6). So called after his healing, as Matthew was still called "the tax-gatherer". See note on Exo_4:6.