John 12:2-8 So they made dinner (the evening meal) for Him there, and Martha was serving them. Now Lazarus was one of those still reclining (lying back) at the meal with Him.

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ² So they made dinner (the evening meal) for Him there, and Martha was serving [them]. Now Lazarus was one of those still reclining (lying back) [at the meal] with Him. ³ Then Mary, taking a pound (Roman pound = about 12 oz.; about a pint) of very costly (of much value; precious) genuine (= pure) perfumed ointment (or: oil; aromatic juice distilled from plants) extracted from the spike-nard plant, anoints and rubs (as in preparing the body with oil for gymnastics) the feet of Jesus, and then wipes His feet off with her hair, and so the house was filled full with (or: from) the fragrance (aroma; odor) of the perfumed ointment. ⁴ Now Judah (or: Judas) – one of His disciples, the one of Simon Iscariot [and] the one being about to proceed giving Him over (or: turning Him in) – proceeds in saying, ⁵ "Why (Through what [reason; situation]) was this perfumed ointment not sold for three hundred denarii (= a year's wages) and given to (or: for) destitute (poor) people?" ⁶ He said this, though, not because it was normally a care (or: of interest) to him about the destitute (the poor people), but rather, because he had been existing as a thief, and, normally holding (or: having; [other MSS: used to be in possession of]) the money box (or: case; originally a receptacle for the "tongues" {i.e., mouth-pieces} of musical instruments), had been regularly carrying (or: bearing) the things being repeatedly (or: habitually) deposited. [note: the verb of being is the imperfect tense, and can refer to past practice; thus, John is not necessarily saying that Judas was currently a thief, but is pointing out his disposition toward money; the verb for carrying (bearing) can also be used in the sense of "bearing away," "removing," or "pilfering;" or, it can be used to signify "supporting; providing for" – this latter giving a different slant to John's words. Recall that Mark says that "some" had indignation, and Matt. says "the disciples" did, so Judas expressed a consensus. Also, in Matt. 26:6, they were in the same town, but at a different place – the house of Simon the leper – and an anonymous woman enters while they are eating, and this time pours the costly ointment on His head. Jesus gives a response similar to below] ⁷ Then Jesus says, "Let her off (or: Forgive her; or: = Leave her alone) so that she can keep it in view (watch over, observe, take note of and guard it) on into the day of the preparation for My burial, ⁸ "for you see, the destitute ones (the poor people) you folks are always having with yourselves. Yet, you are not always holding (or: having) Me."