Why did Mary pour out something worth a year’s wages on Jesus?
Why Did Mary Pour Out Such an Expensive Gift?
Just days before the cross, Mary performed an act of worship that shocked everyone in the room. This was not a spur of the moment act. It was a preplanned act of reverence.
She took a jar of perfume worth nearly a year’s wages and poured it on Jesus.
To some, it looked wasteful. To Jesus, it was beautiful.
The story of the anointing of Jesus at Bethany teaches us what wholehearted worship looks like and challenges us to consider whether Christ truly holds first place in our lives.
When Worship Costs Everything (John 12:1-3)
Bible Study Guide
(Verse 1) Bethany would serve as somewhat of a home base for Jesus and His disciples during His last week in Jerusalem before He’s crucified. Each day they spent in Jerusalem or the Mount of Olives. Jesus and His disciples would return each evening to Bethany to stay with friends. It was convenient and close to Jerusalem.
(Verses 2-3) John points out during the dinner meant to honor Jesus that Martha is the one busy serving dinner. This is not a surprise. She also demonstrated her hospitality concerns during Jesus’ visit to her and Mary’s house as recorded by Luke (Luke 10:38-42).
Martha is busy worrying and making sure that everything was just right. In order to be the gracious host she expected of herself during Jesus’ visit. On the other hand, we’ll see Mary assume her usual role in worshiping her Lord and Savior.
This time, instead of sitting at His feet to listen to His words as a young Jewish student would do in the presence of His Rabbi (teacher), Mary will anoint the feet of Jesus.
Why Was Mary’s Gift So Valuable?
In the King James Bible it’s referred to as spikenard. But other translations refer to it as simply “pure nard.” It’s derived from the root of an Indian plant found only in the Himalayan mountains. Similar to an essential oil, it’s a powerfully fragrant substance that was also known to have medicinal properties.
Its aroma was so distinct that it was regarded as the best of the best of aromatic fragrances of the ancient world. It was held in similar style as to how we value precious diamonds and gold in today’s world.
It’s likely that Mary gathered every last bit of value she possessed to purchase such an amount of extravagant and highly valued ointment. This proved that there was no possession Mary found worth holding onto that she was not willing to give up in worship for her Savior.
This precious and boundless love that Mary had for Jesus serves as a wonderful example for our own path. It helps in building a close relationship with our Lord.
Once Mary anointed Jesus, she used an honored part of her body (hair) to wipe the dirtiest and lowliest part of Jesus’ body, his feet.
Mary would not even use the expensive perfume for her own brother’s burial, but saved it only for Jesus.
Mary had no idea that she was anointing more than just the body of Jesus. His was the very body that would bear the sins of all mankind. For a brief moment, it would be separated from God.
While Martha expressed love through service, Mary expressed love through worship.
Both loved Jesus. But Mary’s love expressed the value she placed in Christ.
Reflect:
Mary gave Jesus her very best.
- What place does Jesus truly hold in my life?
- Is there anything I value more than my relationship with Him?
Apply:
Choose one area of your life this week where you can honor Christ sacrificially—with your time, resources, service, or devotion.
Why Did Judas Criticize Mary? (John 12:4-8)
(Verses 4-6) While we must assume that the disciples trusted Judas, John reveals in his gospel Judas’s true nature.
Mary saw worship. Judas saw waste.
Mary treasured Jesus. Judas treasured money.
The difference wasn’t the perfume. The difference was the condition of their hearts.
(Verses 7-8) What Jesus says about the poor is not meant to imply that we should not care for them and their needs. Jesus is merely pointing to the fact that His time is short and He will soon be leaving this world.
A year’s wages was a large sum of money for an extravagant perfume. It was quite possibly Mary’s most valuable possession. Yet she held nothing back.
Mary wasn’t measuring the cost of the perfume. She was measuring the worth of Jesus.
Reflect:
Mary and Judas stood in the same room but viewed Jesus very differently.
- Do I see Jesus as worthy of my complete devotion?
- Have worldly priorities distracted me from loving Christ wholeheartedly?
Apply:
- Spend time this week thanking Jesus for His sacrifice.
- Ask God to help you treasure Christ above every earthly possession or ambition.
Worship That Costs Nothing Means Little
Mary’s worship was costly. Her gift required sacrifice.
Throughout Scripture, genuine worship often involves surrendering something valuable to God.
In John 12, the question isn’t whether Jesus is worth our sacrifice. The question is whether we recognize His worth.
Mary measured the value of her gift by the worth of Jesus.
When Christ becomes our greatest treasure, no sacrifice feels too great and no act of worship feels too costly.
Mary’s act of worship prepares Jesus for the events that will unfold in the final days before the cross. You can follow this unfolding story in our Book of John Bible study through chapters 11–21.
The Growing Impact of Jesus (John 12:9-11)
(Verses 9-11) Jesus’ friends and many other Jews who came to see Him were a brave lot. Because the Jews were instructed to tell the Pharisee’s the whereabouts of Jesus if they knew.
Key Lessons from the Anointing of Jesus at Bethany
- Jesus is worthy of our very best.
- True worship flows from love and gratitude.
- Genuine devotion often appears costly to the world.
- God values a heart surrendered to Him.
- Christ’s coming sacrifice gives meaning to Mary’s act of worship.
Closing Reflection
Friends, when Mary entered the room carrying that jar of perfume, she wasn’t concerned about what others thought. She wasn’t calculating the cost or seeking recognition. Her focus was entirely on Jesus.
The fragrance that filled the house that evening eventually faded. But the example of Mary’s devotion continues to challenge believers today.
In a world filled with distractions, competing priorities, and countless pursuits, John 12 asks a simple question:
What is Jesus worth to you?
Mary believed He was worth everything.
As we move closer to the return of Christ and witness the signs of the last days unfolding around us, may we be found living with that same devotion—holding nothing back from the One who gave everything for us.
Have You Responded to Jesus?
Mary recognized the value of Jesus long before many others did.
Today, the same Savior who was anointed at Bethany invites you to place your faith in Him.
He came to die for your sins, rise from the dead, and offer eternal life to all who believe.
Will you trust Him today? Learn how to follow Jesus today.
Continue Through John 12
The anointing at Bethany prepared Jesus for the cross.
Now the King will enter Jerusalem as crowds gather to welcome Him.
Discover why Jesus’ triumphal entry fulfilled ancient prophecy and what it reveals about His coming kingdom.
→ Continue to John 12:12-15 | The Triumphal Entry
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing us through Mary’s example what true worship looks like. Forgive us for the times we have allowed the cares of this world, our possessions, or our own desires to take the place that belongs to You alone.
Give us hearts that treasure Jesus above everything else. Help us to worship Him not merely with our words, but with our lives—holding nothing back from the One who gave everything for us.
As we see the signs of the last days unfolding around us, keep us faithful, watchful, and devoted to Christ. May we live each day with the same love, humility, and surrender that Mary demonstrated at Bethany, eagerly awaiting the return of our Lord and Savior.
Until that glorious day, help us to honor Jesus with all that we are and all that we have.
In His precious and mighty name, we pray, Amen.