New International Version(This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)
New Living TranslationThis is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick.
English Standard VersionIt was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
Berean Standard Bible(Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.)
Berean Literal BibleAnd Mary was the one having anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and having wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
King James Bible(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
New King James VersionIt was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
New American Standard BibleAnd it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
NASB 1995It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
NASB 1977And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Amplified BibleIt was the Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Christian Standard BibleMary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick.
Holman Christian Standard BibleMary was the one who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick.
American Standard VersionAnd it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
English Revised VersionAnd it was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
GOD'S WORD® Translation(Mary was the woman who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was the one who was sick.)
Good News TranslationThis Mary was the one who poured the perfume on the Lord's feet and wiped them with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was sick.)
International Standard VersionMary was the woman who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was the one who was ill.
NET Bible(Now it was Mary who anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and wiped his feet dry with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
New Heart English BibleIt was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick.
Webster's Bible Translation(It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Weymouth New TestamentMajority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible(Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.)
World English BibleIt was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand it was Mary who anointed the LORD with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ailing—
Berean Literal BibleAnd Mary was the one having anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and having wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Young's Literal Translation and it was Mary who did anoint the Lord with ointment, and did wipe his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ailing --
Smith's Literal Translation(And Mary was she having anointed the Lord with perfumed oil, and wiped his feet with her hairs, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims Bible(And Mary was she that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair: whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was sick.
New American BibleMary was the one who had anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and dried his feet with her hair; it was her brother Lazarus who was ill.
New Revised Standard VersionMary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThis is the Mary who anointed the feet of Jesus with perfume and wiped them with her hair. Lazarus who was sick, was her brother.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishThis Maryam was the one who had anointed the feet of Yeshua and wiped them with her hair, whose brother Lazar was sick. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIt was the Mary that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Godbey New TestamentAnd Mary was the one anointing the Lord with myrrh, and wiping His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Haweis New Testament(It was the Mary who had anointed the Lord with the balm, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Mace New Testament(it was that Mary who perfum'd the Lord with ointment, after having wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Weymouth New Testament
Worrell New TestamentAnd it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
Worsley New Testament(And it was Mary, that anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Death of Lazarus1At this time a man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2(Mary,whosebrotherLazaruswas sick,wasto anointtheLordwith perfumeandwipeHisfeetwithherhair.)3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.”…
Cross References John 12:3Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Luke 7:37-38When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. / As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.
Matthew 26:6-13While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, / a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table. / When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? ...
Mark 14:3-9While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. / Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? / It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ...
John 12:1-2Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. / So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.
John 11:5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
John 11:20-21So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home. / Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
John 11:32When Mary came to Jesus and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
John 11:45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him.
John 12:9-11Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. / So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, / for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.
John 12:17-18Meanwhile, many people who had been with Jesus when He called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. / That is also why the crowd went out to meet Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.
Luke 10:38-42As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. / She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” ...
John 1:29-34The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! / This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ / I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” ...
John 2:1-11On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ...
John 3:16-17For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Treasury of Scripture (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) that Mary. 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. Matthew 26:6,7 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, … Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and pouredit on his head. anointed. Luke 7:37,38 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew thatJesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, … Jump to Previous AilingAnointAnointedFeetHairIllLazarusMaryOilOintmentPerfumePerfumedPouredSickWipeWipedJump to Next AilingAnointAnointedFeetHairIllLazarusMaryOilOintmentPerfumePerfumedPouredSickWipeWipedJohn 11 1.Jesus raises Lazarus, four days buried.45.Many Jews believe.47.The high priests and Pharisees gather a council against Jesus.49.Caiaphas prophesies.54.Jesus hides himself.55.At the Passover they enquire after him, and lay wait for him.Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sickMary is identified as the sister of Lazarus, who is central to the narrative of John 11. This Mary is often associated with Mary of Bethany, distinct from other Marys in the New Testament. The mention of Lazarus being sick sets the stage for the miracle of his resurrection, which is a pivotal event in the Gospel of John. The family lived in Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, which was a place Jesus frequently visited. This connection highlights the close relationship between Jesus and this family, emphasizing the personal nature of the miracle to come. was to anoint the Lord with perfume
This phrase foreshadows an event described inJohn 12:1-8, where Mary anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. This act of anointing is significant as it symbolizes honor and devotion, and in the context of Jesus, it prefigures His burial. Anointing with perfume was a customary practice in Jewish culture for guests and for preparing bodies for burial, indicating both reverence and prophetic insight into Jesus' impending death. and wipe His feet with her hair
Mary's act of wiping Jesus' feet with her hair is an expression of humility and devotion. In the cultural context of the time, a woman's hair was considered her glory, and using it to wipe Jesus' feet demonstrates profound humility and love. This act also signifies the breaking of social norms, as women typically did not let their hair down in public. It reflects Mary's deep personal commitment to Jesus and serves as a model of worship and service.
Each phrase in this verse connects to broader themes in the Gospel of John, such as the revelation of Jesus' identity, the foreshadowing of His death and resurrection, and the intimate relationships He formed with His followers. Persons / Places / Events 1. MaryA devoted follower of Jesus, known for her act of worship and humility in anointing Jesus with perfume. She is the sister of Lazarus and Martha. 2. LazarusThe brother of Mary and Martha, who was sick and later raised from the dead by Jesus, demonstrating His power over life and death. 3. Anointing of JesusThis event, though mentioned here in anticipation, is a significant act of devotion and foreshadows Jesus' burial. It highlights Mary's deep love and reverence for Jesus. 4. BethanyThe village where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, located near Jerusalem. It serves as the setting for several key events in Jesus' ministry. 5. JesusThe central figure of the Gospel, whose divine authority and compassion are revealed through His interactions with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Teaching Points Devotion and WorshipMary's act of anointing Jesus with perfume is a profound expression of love and worship. Believers are encouraged to demonstrate their devotion to Christ through acts of service and worship. Humility and SacrificeMary's willingness to use expensive perfume and wipe Jesus' feet with her hair reflects humility and sacrifice. Christians are called to humble themselves and offer their best to God. Foreshadowing of Christ's SacrificeThe anointing prefigures Jesus' death and burial, reminding believers of the importance of His sacrifice and the need to prepare their hearts for His return. The Power of TestimonyThe mention of Mary's act in this verse serves as a lasting testimony of her faith. Believers are encouraged to live lives that bear witness to their faith in Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of John 11:2?
2.How does John 11:2 highlight Mary's devotion and faith in Jesus Christ?
3.What can we learn from Mary's actions to apply in our worship today?
4.How does John 11:2 connect to Mary's actions in Luke 10:39?
5.Why is Mary's anointing of Jesus significant in understanding His mission?
6.How can Mary's example inspire us to serve others in our community?
7.Why is Mary anointing Jesus' feet significant in John 11:2?
8.How does John 11:2 connect to the theme of worship in the Bible?
9.What does John 11:2 reveal about Mary's understanding of Jesus' identity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 11?
11.How did Mary of Bethany show devotion to Jesus?
12.Who was Martha in the Bible?
13.What is the significance of Lazarus's resurrection by Jesus?
14.What is the number of Marys in the Bible?What Does John 11:2 Mean Mary• John identifies “Mary” as a specific woman already familiar to many believers, distinguishing her from other women named Mary in the Gospels (Luke 10:38-42). • She is the sister who “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching” (Luke 10:39), revealing a pattern of personal devotion. • By linking her name to the later anointing (John 12:3), the verse underscores her intimate relationship with Jesus long before that public act of worship.
whose brother Lazarus was sick• The illness of Lazarus (John 11:1) sets the immediate context and foreshadows the miraculous resurrection inJohn 11:43-44. • Mentioning Mary’s family ties shows that Jesus’ forthcoming miracle impacts a real household He loves (John 11:5). • The statement reminds readers that faith often grows in the middle of suffering (Romans 5:3-5;James 1:2-4).
was to anoint the Lord with perfume• John looks ahead to the evening meal in Bethany where Mary “took a pound of expensive perfume of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet” (John 12:3). • This anticipatory note highlights the prophetic nature of her action, for Jesus links it to His burial (John 12:7; cf.Mark 14:8). • Sacrificial worship is costly: the perfume was worth “a year’s wages” (John 12:5), echoing King David’s refusal to offer God what cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). • By calling Jesus “the Lord,” the text affirms His divine authority, worthy of honor reserved for God alone (Psalm 45:7).
and wipe His feet with her hair• Wiping Jesus’ feet with her own hair is an act of humility and total self-abandonment, paralleling the servant-nature Jesus will model when He washes the disciples’ feet (John 13:5). • In that culture a woman’s hair was her glory (1 Corinthians 11:15); Mary lays her glory at Jesus’ feet, illustrating true discipleship (Luke 14:26-27). • The fragrant aroma filling the house (John 12:3) becomes a living picture of how worship spreads the knowledge of Christ “like a sweet fragrance” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).
summaryJohn 11:2 introduces Mary by recalling her forthcoming act of extravagant devotion. The verse roots her identity in relationship (sister of Lazarus), anticipates her sacrificial anointing, and showcases her humble service. Together these details emphasize that authentic faith loves Jesus personally, serves Him selflessly, and honors Him lavishly—truths confirmed in the very miracle that follows and in the cross toward which the Gospel steadily moves. (2) It was that Mary which anointed the Lord.--Comp. Notes on Matthew 26:6et seq., and Mark 14:3et seq. John himself relates the anointing in John 12:3et seq. Here he simply mentions it as distinguishing Mary from others of the same name. and assumes it as a well-known incident which had been, as Christ declared it should be, "told for a memorial of her wheresoever the gospel had been preached" ( Matthew 26:13). Still, the other Evangelists had not told the name, and St. John, when the name first occurs in his narrative, connects it with the person whose deed of love was known to all. There is no sufficient reason for identifying Mary of Bethany with the "woman which was a sinner" (see Notes onLuke 7:37et seq.), or for identifying either with Mary Magdalene. . . . Verse 2. - Now it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with perfume, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. The word μύρον is used of any aromatic balsam which is distilled from trees and herbs by itself. In classical Greek μύρον was used of costly ointments used by women. Ἐλαίον was the common oil used by men for purposes of health, which might be perfumed. Our Lord clearly draws a distinction between the ἐλαίον and μύρον in Luke 7:46. Ἀλείφω has been said to be used for the more superfluous anointings and χρίω for the sanitary anointing with oil. No trace of such distinction is found in the New Testament (cf. Mark 6:13 with James 5:14). One great distinction in biblical Greek is that χρίειν is used of religious anointings, from its association with Ξριστός, but ἀλείφειν in the LXX. is only twice used in this sense, while χρίειν is used times without number (Archbishop Trench, 'New Test. Syn.,' § 38.). The use of the term Κύριον, "Lord," shows that the story was widely known, and that when the Gospel was written it had passed into a commonplace of Christian experience and illustration. The anointing has not yet been referred to by John, but he is looking back upon the events and anticipates his own subsequent record.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek (δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.Mary,Μαριὰμ(Mariam)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3137:Or Mariam of Hebrew origin; Maria or Mariam, the name of six Christian females.whoseἧς(hēs)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.brotherἀδελφὸς(adelphos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80:A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.LazarusΛάζαρος(Lazaros)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2976:Probably of Hebrew origin; Lazarus, the name of two Israelites.was sick,ἠσθένει(ēsthenei)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 770:To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble.would [later]ἦν(ēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.anointἀλείψασα(aleipsasa)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 218:To anoint: festivally, in homage, medicinally, or in anointing the dead. To oil.theτὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.LordΚύριον(Kyrion)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.with perfumeμύρῳ(myrō)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3464:Anointing-oil, ointment. Probably of foreign origin; 'myrrh', i.e. perfumed oil.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.wipeἐκμάξασα(ekmaxasa)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1591:To wipe, wipe (off) thoroughly. From ek and the base of massaomai; to knead out, i.e. to wipe dry.Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.feetπόδας(podas)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228:The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.withταῖς(tais)Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.herαὐτῆς(autēs)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.hair.)θριξὶν(thrixin)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2359:Hair (of the head or of animals). Genitive case trichos, etc. of uncertain derivation; hair.
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NT Gospels: John 11:2 It was that Mary who had anointed (Jhn Jo Jn) |
