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1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany , where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

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Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

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Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

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But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,

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"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."

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He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

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"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

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You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

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Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

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So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

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for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.