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John 12 Summary

Mary's Anointing and Palm Sunday

Six days before the Passover, Jesus comes to Bethany where Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead, sits at supper with Him. Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly spikenard and wipes them with her hair, but Judas objects, claiming the ointment should be sold for the poor. Jesus defends her act as preparation for His burial. The next day, as Jesus enters Jerusalem, a great multitude meets Him with palm branches, crying "Hosanna," having heard of His raising of Lazarus. Jesus sits upon a young ass, fulfilling the prophetic word, while the Pharisees marvel that the world seems to have gone after Him.

Key themes

Mary's costly devotionResurrection power witnessedMessianic entryHardened unbeliefJudgment upon the worldFather's glorification

Key verses

John 12:3

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

John 12:23-24

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

John 12:31-32

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 12:46

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

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