Verse 3
For thematic reasons Matthew and Mark both placed this event within the story of the hostility of Jesus’ enemies. It is apparently out of chronological order (cf. John 12:1). This rearrangement of the material highlighted the contrast between the hatred of unbelievers and the love of believers for Jesus. The incident probably occurred the previous Saturday evening. [Note: Hoehner, Chronological Aspects . . ., p. 91.]
John added that the woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, and that she anointed Jesus’ feet as well as His head. Anointing a guest’s head was a common way to honor such a person at a festive occasion (cf. Psalms 23:5; Luke 7:46). Mary appears in three scenes in the Gospels, and each time she is at Jesus’ feet (cf. Luke 10:38-42; John 11:31-32). She is a good model for all disciples to emulate. The high value of her perfume and its expensive container may suggest that this was an heirloom passed from one generation to another. [Note: Lane, p. 492.]
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