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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - John 12:3 - 12:3
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
A pound (litran). Latin libra, late Koiné (Polybius, Plutarch) word with weight of 12 ounces, in N.T. only here and Joh 19:39. Mark (Mar 14:3) and Matthew (Mat 26:7) have alabaster cruse.
Of ointment of spikenard (murou nardou pistikēs). “Of oil of nard.” See note on Joh 11:2 for murou (also Mat 26:7). Nard is the head or spike of an East Indian plant, very fragrant. Occurs also in Mar 14:3. Pistikēs here and in Mar 14:3 probably means genuine (pistikos, from pistos, reliable). Only two instances in the N.T.
Very precious (polutimou). Old compound adjective (polus, much, timē), in N.T. only here, Mat 13:46; 1Pe 1:7. Mark has polutelous (very costly). Matthew (Mat 26:7) has here barutimou of weighty value (only N.T. instance).
Anointed (ēleipsen). First aorist active indicative of aleiphō, old word (Mar 16:1).
The feet (tous podas). Mark (Mar 14:3) and Matthew (Mat 26:7) have “his head.” Why not both, though neither Gospel mentions both? The Latin MS. fuldensis and the Syriac Sinatic do give both head and feet here.
Wiped (exemaxen). First aorist active indicative of ekmassō, old verb to wipe off already in Joh 11:2; Luk 7:38, Luk 7:44.
With her hair (tais thrixin autēs). Instrumental plural. It is this item that is relied on largely by those who identify Mary of Bethany with the sinful woman in Luk 7:37 and with Mary Magdalene. It is no doubt true that it was usually considered immodest for a woman to wear her hair loose. But it is not impossible that Mary of Bethany in her carefully planned love-offering for Jesus on this occasion was only glad to throw such a punctilio to the winds. Such an act on this occasion does not brand her a woman of loose character.
Was filled with the odour of the ointment (eplērōthē ek tēs osmēs tou murou). Effective first aorist passive of plēroō and a natural result.