lectionary.com

Holy Week · Year C

Monday of Holy Week

April 10, 2028

The Supper at Bethany, Bernardo Butinone
The Supper at Bethany, Bernardo Butinone, 1490sBlanton Museum of Art, Austin
Jesus sits at table with his friends in a bright arcaded hall, while Mary kneels at his feet to anoint them.Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.Bernardo ButinoneA Lombard painter of Milan in the 1480s and 1490s, known for crisp, brightly coloured panels.Blanton Museum of Art, AustinThe Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin.Blanton Museum of Art, Austin
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).

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

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.

Questions preachers ask

What does Mary's anointing at Bethany mean?

Mary pours costly nard over Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair; he receives it as an anointing for his burial as the Passion draws near.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on John 12:1-11
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.