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Holy Week · Year A

Monday of Holy Week

March 30, 2026

The Anointing in Bethany (Salvningen i Betania), Malthe Engelsted
The Anointing in Bethany (Salvningen i Betania), Malthe Engelsted, 1894–1904Wikimedia Commons (auction record, Bruun Rasmussen)
A Danish painting of the anointing, with the woman at Christ's feet and the room's attention already turning against her.The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Leave her alone.Malthe EngelstedA Danish painter of religious and genre subjects, trained at the Copenhagen academy.Wikimedia Commons (auction record, Bruun Rasmussen)In private hands; the painting is known from an auction record.Wikimedia Commons (auction record, Bruun Rasmussen)
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 12:1-11Jn 12:1-11
EpistleHeb. 9:11-15Heb 9:11-15
Old TestamentIsa. 42:1-9Is 42:1-9
PsalterPs. 36:5-11Ps 36:5-11

Overview & Insights

“Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.” (John 12:7)

For the third time in John’s Gospel, the Passover is near (v. 55; cf. 2:13; 6:4), and for the second and last time (cf. 2:13), Jesus travels to Jerusalem to keep the festival. The early visit to Jerusalem involving the cleansing of the temple (2:13–22) had given the impression that Jesus’ Passion was about to begin, but it did not. Now the Passion is soon to begin, and the narrator creates an atmosphere of expectancy for his story. He does not immediately state that “Jesus went up to Jerusalem” (2:13), but says that many (v. 55) did so, and that when they arrived, they looked for Jesus, asking What do you think? Isn‘t he coming to the Feast at all? (v. 56). Jesus first returns to Bethany (12:1), and then triumphantly enters Jerusalem (12:12–19). The suspense builds as the Passover draws ever closer: almost time for (11:55), six days before (12:1), “the next day” (i.e., five days before, 12:12), “just before” (13:1).

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Take it further: John 12:1-11

Commentary

John 12Jn 12 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on Mary anointing Jesus at Bethany.

Classic commentaries on John 12Classic commentaries on Jn 12 BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on the anointing at Bethany verse by verse.

John 12:1-11: Leave Her AloneJn 12:1-11: Leave Her Alone Working Preacher

Working Preacher essay reading Mary's anointing as a prophetic act and answer to Judas, keyed exactly to this pericope.

John 12:1-8Jn 12:1-8 Center for Excellence in Preaching

CEP commentary on the anointing at Bethany that explicitly extends its reading through verse 11.

Background & Word Study

Overview: JohnOverview: Jn BibleProject

An animated overview placing the Bethany anointing on the road to the cross.

John 12 ResourcesJn 12 Resources Precept Austin

Precept Austin's word-by-word study aids for John 12, useful for the Greek behind Mary's extravagant act.

The Church Fathers

John 12, patristic commentaryJn 12, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic comment on the anointing and Judas' objection, verse by verse.

Sermons & Reflections

In Memory of Her Journey with Jesus

Essay on Mary's anointing of Jesus, written directly on this Holy Week reading.

Extravagant Love, Monday in Holy Week Sermons That Work (Episcopal Church)

Episcopal Church homily preached on this exact reading for Monday of Holy Week.

Worship & Prayers

Monday in Holy Week The Lectionary Page

Gives the day's collect and full propers for worship planning around the anointing at Bethany.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

Curated art and hymn suggestions for Holy Week.

Study Hub

John 12, Barnes' NotesJn 12, Barnes' Notes StudyLight

StudyLight's Barnes' Notes gives a classic verse-by-verse study hub entry covering the anointing scene.

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