John 12:7 - But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.
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What does "John 12:7" mean?
This verse, John 12:7, is part of the story of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. To understand its meaning, we need to look at the context:
The Setting: Jesus is at a dinner in Bethany, at the home of Lazarus (whom he had raised from the dead). Mary, Lazarus's sister, takes a jar of very expensive perfume (nard) and pours it on Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair.
The Objection: Judas Iscariot objects, saying the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. John's Gospel clarifies that Judas didn't care for the poor, but wanted to steal the money.
Jesus' Response: This is where John 12:7 comes in. Jesus says, "Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial."
Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"Leave her alone": Jesus is rebuking Judas (and any others who were critical of Mary's actions). He's protecting Mary and defending her intentions.
"She has kept this for the day of my burial": This is the key. Jesus understands the symbolic significance of Mary's act.
Foreshadowing: Jesus is aware that his death is approaching. Mary's act is a prophetic foreshadowing of his impending burial. Anointing was a common practice in preparing a body for burial.
Recognition: Mary's action demonstrates a profound understanding of Jesus's identity and his destiny. She is recognizing him as the Messiah and preparing him for his ultimate sacrifice.
Acceptance: Jesus accepts Mary's act as an expression of love, devotion, and possibly an understanding of his suffering to come.
In essence, Jesus is saying:
Mary's act is significant and valuable, not wasteful.
It is a foreshadowing of my death and burial.
She is honoring me in a way that you don't understand.
Theological Significance:
Jesus' awareness of his own death: This verse reinforces the idea that Jesus knew his death was coming and that it was part of God's plan.
The importance of recognizing and honoring Jesus: Mary's act is a model for how believers should respond to Jesus - with love, devotion, and a recognition of his sacrifice.
The value of acts of love and devotion: Mary's selfless act shows that gestures of love and sacrifice for Jesus are pleasing to him, even if they don't make "logical" sense from a worldly perspective.
In conclusion, John 12:7 is a powerful verse that reveals Jesus's understanding of Mary's prophetic act of anointing, his awareness of his approaching death, and the importance of recognizing and honoring him with acts of love and devotion. It underscores the deep connection between Jesus and his followers and the foreshadowing of his ultimate sacrifice.
John 12:7 - But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.
What does "John 12:7" mean?
This verse, John 12:7, is part of the story of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. To understand its meaning, we need to look at the context:
The Setting: Jesus is at a dinner in Bethany, at the home of Lazarus (whom he had raised from the dead). Mary, Lazarus's sister, takes a jar of very expensive perfume (nard) and pours it on Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair.
The Objection: Judas Iscariot objects, saying the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. John's Gospel clarifies that Judas didn't care for the poor, but wanted to steal the money.
Jesus' Response: This is where John 12:7 comes in. Jesus says, "Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial."
Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:
"Leave her alone": Jesus is rebuking Judas (and any others who were critical of Mary's actions). He's protecting Mary and defending her intentions.
"She has kept this for the day of my burial": This is the key. Jesus understands the symbolic significance of Mary's act.
Foreshadowing: Jesus is aware that his death is approaching. Mary's act is a prophetic foreshadowing of his impending burial. Anointing was a common practice in preparing a body for burial.
Recognition: Mary's action demonstrates a profound understanding of Jesus's identity and his destiny. She is recognizing him as the Messiah and preparing him for his ultimate sacrifice.
Acceptance: Jesus accepts Mary's act as an expression of love, devotion, and possibly an understanding of his suffering to come.
In essence, Jesus is saying:
Mary's act is significant and valuable, not wasteful.
It is a foreshadowing of my death and burial.
She is honoring me in a way that you don't understand.
Theological Significance:
Jesus' awareness of his own death: This verse reinforces the idea that Jesus knew his death was coming and that it was part of God's plan.
The importance of recognizing and honoring Jesus: Mary's act is a model for how believers should respond to Jesus - with love, devotion, and a recognition of his sacrifice.
The value of acts of love and devotion: Mary's selfless act shows that gestures of love and sacrifice for Jesus are pleasing to him, even if they don't make "logical" sense from a worldly perspective.
In conclusion, John 12:7 is a powerful verse that reveals Jesus's understanding of Mary's prophetic act of anointing, his awareness of his approaching death, and the importance of recognizing and honoring him with acts of love and devotion. It underscores the deep connection between Jesus and his followers and the foreshadowing of his ultimate sacrifice.