It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
English Standard Version (ESV)
John highlights this Mary by referencing her future act of anointing Jesus, emphasizing her deep devotion and foreknowledge of His sacrifice, a detail not yet described in his Gospel but known to his readers, thereby subtly distinguishing her from other women and underscoring the significance of her relationship with Jesus. This specific mention foreshadows a pivotal moment of profound love and worship, framing her relationship with Jesus as one of exceptional intimacy and preparation for His passion.
It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The narrative is setting the scene for the dramatic raising of Lazarus from the dead. John wants us to know that this isn't just any family; it's the household of Mary, known for her devoted act of anointing Jesus and wiping his feet with her hair, a significant event John mentions to highlight their intimate connection with Christ. This intimacy is why Martha and Mary felt confident sending word to Jesus when their beloved brother Lazarus fell gravely ill.
Why does John point to Mary's anointing here, before it even happens in his Gospel narrative?
John 11:2 introduces Mary not just as Lazarus's sister, but as 'the one who anointed the Lord.' This might seem strange since John hasn't told us about this anointing yet. However, John is writing his Gospel later, looking back at events. He's using this future act – which Jesus himself foretold would be remembered (Matthew 26:13) – to identify Mary. It's like saying, 'You know that Mary who would do that famous thing for Jesus? Yeah, that Mary. Her brother Lazarus is sick.' This highlights the deep connection Mary already had with Jesus, a connection that would lead to this extraordinary act of devotion.
Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, yet he delayed. How can we reconcile divine love with apparent inaction?
The text explicitly states, 'Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus' (John 11:5). Yet, when the message came that Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed put for two more days. This isn't a contradiction; it's a divine strategy. Calvin and Henry both note that God's love doesn't always mean immediate rescue from earthly troubles. Sickness and hardship can be part of God's plan to reveal His glory and strengthen our faith. This delay allowed for Lazarus's death and subsequent resurrection, a far greater miracle that would testify powerfully to Jesus' divinity.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
Kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of supreme authority, respect, and divinity, frequently used for Jesus in the New Testament to signify His sovereignty and lordship over creation and the church.
This verse connects Mary's previous act of devotion to Jesus with the current crisis of her brother's illness, highlighting a known relationship and establishing her character before the dramatic events unfold.
c. AD 27-30
Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany
Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. This event, mentioned by all four Gospels (though details vary), highlights her devotion and foreshadows Jesus' burial.
c. AD 30— this verse
Lazarus Falls Ill
Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, becomes gravely ill. His sisters send word to Jesus, emphasizing their belief in His love and power to help them.
c. AD 30
Jesus Delays His Arrival
Although Jesus loves the family, He intentionally waits two more days before going to Bethany, even after hearing of Lazarus's illness.
c. AD 30
Lazarus Dies and is Buried
By the time Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead and in the tomb for four days.
c. AD 30
The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb, and he comes back to life, a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority over death and a sign pointing to His own resurrection.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Popularity Grows and Opposition Intensifies
The miracle of Lazarus's resurrection causes many to believe in Jesus, but it also further inflames the opposition of the religious leaders, who see Him as a threat.
This passage describes a woman, a sinner, anointing Jesus' feet with tears and perfume, which is often identified as the same Mary mentioned here, highlighting her deep devotion and humility before Jesus.
John 12:1-3This passage recounts the famous anointing of Jesus' feet with expensive perfume by Mary, directly connecting her to the act mentioned in John 11:2 and demonstrating her extravagant love and worship.
Matthew 26:6-7This parallel account in Matthew also mentions the anointing of Jesus with a valuable perfume, further emphasizing the significance of Mary's act of devotion and Jesus' recognition of it.
John 11:5This verse explicitly states Jesus' love for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, providing the emotional context for her deep devotion and his willingness to engage with their family.
barnesJohn 11:2: "(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)"
It was that Mary ... - See the Matthew 26:6 note; Luke 7:36-50 notes.
vincentJohn 11:2: "(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)"
Anointed (ἀλείψασα)Three words for anointing are found in the New Testament: ἀλείφω, χρίω, and its compounds, and μυρίζω. The last is used but once, Mark 14:8, of anointing the Lord's body for burying. Between the two others the distinction is strictly maintained. Χρίω, which occurs five times, is used in every case but one of the anointing of the Son b…
John highlights this Mary by referencing her future act of anointing Jesus, emphasizing her deep devotion and foreknowledge of His sacrifice, a detail not yet described in his Gospel but known to his readers, thereby subtly distinguishing her from other women and underscoring the significance of her relationship with Jesus. This specific mention foreshadows a pivotal moment of profound love and worship, framing her relationship with Jesus as one of exceptional intimacy and preparation for His passion.
The narrative is setting the scene for the dramatic raising of Lazarus from the dead. John wants us to know that this isn't just any family; it's the household of Mary, known for her devoted act of anointing Jesus and wiping his feet with her hair, a significant event John mentions to highlight their intimate connection with Christ. This intimacy is why Martha and Mary felt confident sending word to Jesus when their beloved brother Lazarus fell gravely ill.
The narrative is setting the scene for the dramatic raising of Lazarus from the dead. John wants us to know that this isn't just any family; it's the household of Mary, known for her devoted act of anointing Jesus and wiping his feet with her hair, a significant event John mentions to highlight their intimate connection with Christ. This intimacy is why Martha and Mary felt confident sending word to Jesus when their beloved brother Lazarus fell gravely ill.
"It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill." — John highlights this Mary by referencing her future act of anointing Jesus, emphasizing her deep devotion and foreknowledge of His sacrifice, a detail not yet described in his Gospel but known to his…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026