Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 11:2
(It was [that] Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
2. It was that Mary which anointed ] This of course does not necessarily imply that the anointing had already taken place, as those who identify Mary with the ‘sinner’ of Luk 7:37 would insist: it merely implies that when S. John wrote, this fact was well known about her, as Christ had promised should be the case (Mat 26:13). S. John tells two facts omitted in the earlier Gospels; (1) that the village of Martha and Mary was Bethany, (2) that the anointing at Bethany was Mary’s act. The identification of Mary of Bethany with the prostitute of Luke 7 is altogether at variance with what S. Luke and S. John tell us of her character. Nor is there any sufficient reason for identifying either of them with Mary Magdalene. Mary of Bethany, Mary of Magdala, and the ‘sinner’ of Luke 7 are three distinct persons.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
It was that Mary … – See the Mat 26:6 note; Luk 7:36-50 notes.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. It was that Mary which anointed] There is much disagreement between learned men relative to the two anointings of our Lord, and the persons who performed these acts. The various conjectures concerning these points the reader will find in the notes on Mt 26:7, c., but particularly at the end of that chapter. See Clarke on Mt 26:75
Dr. Lightfoot inquires, Why should Bethany be called the town of Martha and Mary, and not of Lazarus? And he thinks the reason is, that Martha and Mary had been well known by that anointing of our Lord, which is mentioned Lu 7:37 (see the note there;) but the name of Lazarus had not been mentioned till now, there being no transaction by which he could properly be brought into view. He therefore thinks that the aorist , which we translate anointed, should have its full force, and be translated, who had formerly anointed; and this he thinks to have been the reason of that familiarity which subsisted between our Lord and this family; and, on this ground, they could confidently send for our Lord when Lazarus fell sick. This seems a very reasonable conjecture; and it is very likely that the familiarity arose out of the anointing.
Others think that the anointing of which the evangelist speaks is that mentioned Joh 12:1, &c., and which happened about six days before the passover. St. John, therefore, is supposed to anticipate the account, because it served more particularly to designate the person of whom he was speaking.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
We read of a woman, Luk 7:37,38, that came behind our Saviour while he was at dinner, in the house of Simon the Pharisee, brought an alabaster box of ointment, stood at his feet behind him weeping, washing his feet with her tears, and wiping them with her hair; but it appears by the story, she had been before a notorious sinner. We read of another woman, Mat 26:6,7; Mr 14:3, that poured a box of ointment on our Saviours head as he was at dinner in the house of Simon the leper: but we, in those two evangelists, read nothing of her washing his feet with her tears, or wiping them with her hair; but in the next chapter of this Gospel, Joh 12:3, we have a story which (whether it be the same with the other or no, I cannot tell) is that doubtless to which this verse refers: the names and circumstances much agree. There were other Marys, (for Mary was a very ordinary name among them), but this was that Mary which is mentioned Joh 12:3, that anointed the Lord with ointment, &c. It was her brother was sick.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. It was that Mary who anointed theLord with ointment, c.This, though not recorded by ourEvangelist till Joh 12:3, wasso well known in the teaching of all the churches, according to ourLord’s prediction (Mt 26:13),that it is here alluded to by anticipation, as the most natural wayof identifying her and she is first named, though the younger, as themore distinguished of the two. She “anointed THELORD,” says theEvangelistled doubtless to the use of this term here, as he wasabout to exhibit Him illustriously as the Lord of Life.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
It was [that] Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment,…. Not the woman in Lu 7:37, as some have thought, whose name is not mentioned, and which history is not related by John at all: but Mary in Joh 12:3, who is both mentioned by name, and along with Lazarus her brother, and with whom all the circumstances of the affair suit; and though the fact was not yet done, yet John writing many years after it was done, and when it was well known, proleptically, and in a parenthesis, takes notice of it here:
and wiped his feet with her hair; instead of a napkin, after she had anointed them with oil; [See comments on Lu 7:37],
[See comments on Joh 12:3].
Whose brother Lazarus was sick; this is observed, to show how well they were all acquainted with Christ, and affected to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And it was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair ( ). This description is added to make plainer who Mary is “whose brother Lazarus was sick” ( ). There is an evident proleptic allusion to the incident described by John in 12:1-8 just after chapter 11. As John looks back from the end of the century it was all behind him, though the anointing ( , first aorist active articular participle of , old verb for which see Mr 6:13) took place after the events in chapter 11. The aorist participle is timeless and merely pictures the punctiliar act. The same remark applies to , old verb , to wipe off or away (Isa 12:3; Isa 13:5; Luke 7:38; Luke 7:44). Note the Aramaic form as usual in John, but in verse 1. When John wrote, it was as Jesus had foretold (Mt 26:13), for the fame of Mary of Bethany rested on the incident of the anointing of Jesus. The effort to link Mary of Bethany with Mary Magdalene and then both names with the sinful woman of Lu 7:36-50 is gratuitous and to my mind grotesque and cruel to the memory of both Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene. Bernard may be taken as a specimen: “The conclusion is inevitable that John (or his editor) regarded Mary of Bethany as the same person who is described by Luke as .” This critical and artistic heresy has already been discussed in Vol. II on Luke’s Gospel. Suffice it here to say that Luke introduces Mary Magdalene as an entirely new character in 8:2 and that the details in Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-8 have only superficial resemblances and serious disagreements. John is not here alluding to Luke’s record, but preparing for his own in chapter 12. What earthly difficulty is there in two different women under wholly different circumstances doing a similar act for utterly different purposes?
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Anointed [] . Three words for anointing are found in the New Testament : ajleifw, criw, and its compounds, and murizw. The last is used but once, Mr 14:8, of anointing the Lord ‘s body for burying. Between the two others the distinction is strictly maintained. Criw, which occurs five times, is used in every case but one of the anointing of the Son by the Father With the Holy Spirit (Luk 4:18; Act 4:27; Act 10:38; Heb 1:9). In the remaining instance (2Co 1:21) of enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thus the word is confined to sacred anointing. 36 Aleifw is used of all actual anointings. See Mt 6:17; Mr 6:13; Luk 7:38; Jas 5:14. The same distinction is generally maintained in the Septuagint, though with a few exceptions, as Num 3:3.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment),” (en de Mariam he aleipsasa ton kurion muro) “And it was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment,” as recounted more fully Joh 12:3. It was an expression of three things, 1) Unity among those there in the home of Simon the leper in Bethany, 2) Love between the one anointed and the one being anointed, and 3) Her memorial tribute to her faith in His coming death and resurrection, Psa 133:1-3; Mar 14:3; Mar 14:8-9.
2) “And wiped his feet,” (kai ekmaksasa tous poclas autou) “And who wiped off his feet,” or cleaned His feet, drying them off. The ointment was poured upon His head and ran down over His body, to His feet, the manner of anointing described by David, Psa 133:2; Mat 26:6-7; Mat 26:12-13.
3) “With her hair,” (tais thriksin autes)”With her hair,” the hairs of her head, her long hair; This deed Jesus called “a good work or ideal work upon me,” Mat 26:10; Mar 14:6-7. To do good to Jesus directly took priority over doing good to the poor or impoverished at that time, for there is a time and purpose for “every thing under the sun,” Ecc 3:1.
4) “(Whose brother Lazarus was sick.)” (es ho adelphos Lazaros esthenei) “Whose brother Lazarus ailed,” or was physically sick, so severely, critically ill that he died, Joh 11:3; Joh 11:14.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
2. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord. It is a similar display of ignorance, to imagine that this Mary, the sister of Lazarus, was that woman of wicked and infamous life, who is mentioned by Luke, (Luk 7:37.) This mistake was occasioned by the anointing; as if it were not evident enough that Christ was anointed on various occasions, and even at different places. The woman who was a sinner, of whom Luke gives an account, anointed Christ at Jerusalem, where he dwelt; but Mary afterwards anointed him at Bethany, which was her own village. The past tense employed by the Evangelist, who anointed, must be referred, not to the time of the occurrence which he is now relating, but to the time when he wrote; as if he had said, “It was this Mary who afterwards poured on the head of Christ the ointment, on account of which a murmuring arose among the disciples,” (Mat 26:7.)
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) It was that Mary which anointed the Lord.Comp. Notes on Mat. 26:6 et seq., and Mar. 14:3 et seq. John himself relates the anointing in Joh. 12:3 et seq. Here he simply mentions it as distinguishing Mary from others of the same name. and assumes it as a well-known incident which had been, as Christ declared it should be, told for a memorial of her wheresoever the gospel had been preached (Mat. 26:13). Still, the other Evangelists had not told the name, and St. John, when the name first occurs in his narrative, connects it with the person whose deed of love was known to all.
There is no sufficient reason for identifying Mary of Bethany with the woman which was a sinner (see Notes on Luk. 7:37 et seq.), or for identifying either with Mary Magdalene.
This verse should not be placed in parenthesis, as in our version. It is immediately connected with the verse which precedes, as well as with that which follows.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Joh 11:2. It was that Mary which anointed, &c. Because the evangelist characterizes Mary, the sister of Lazarus, by her action of anointing the Lord’s feet, Grotius imagines, that the three anointings mentioned in the gospels are one and the same: but the answer is obvious. John having mentioned one anointing only, ch. Joh 12:3, &c. she is sufficiently known by that character to all who have read his history: yet, if any one should say, that the evangelist does not mean to distinguish her from the other Marys, he would perhaps speak the truth, because to have called her the sister of Lazarus was sufficient for that purpose: her anointing is mentioned on this occasion, only to inform the reader how much and tenderly she loved the Lord, who doublyrepaid allthe kindnesses shewn to him, as in this very instance; notwithstanding he did not go into Judea immediately on receiving the sisters’ message.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Ver. 2. It was that Mary which anointed ] This makes her name “as an ointment poured forth,”Son 1:3Son 1:3 . And she spared for no cost, being of her mind, it seems, that said, Ego si bonam famam servasso, sat ero dives, I if I shall be of a good reputation, let it be a costly basket. (Plaut.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2. ] Another reference a fact which, as our Lord prophesied, was known wherever the gospel was preached. This reference containing, as it does, the expression (= our Lord ), q. d. ‘as we all well know,’ is a striking illustration of that prophecy. John himself relates the occurrence, ch. Joh 12:3 , being necessary for the course of his narrative.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 11:2 . In order further to identify Lazarus it is added: “Now it was (that) Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill”. This act of Mary’s has not yet been narrated by John (see Joh 12:3 ), but it was this which distinguished her at the time John was writing; cf. Mat 26:13 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
It was, &c. This is an explanatory statement, anticipating what is related in Joh 12:3.
the Lord. Greek. Kurios. App-98.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2.] Another reference a fact which, as our Lord prophesied, was known wherever the gospel was preached. This reference containing, as it does, the expression (= our Lord), q. d. as we all well know,-is a striking illustration of that prophecy. John himself relates the occurrence, ch. Joh 12:3, being necessary for the course of his narrative.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 11:2. , moreover it was the Mary) John proves Marys pious affection towards Jesus at the present time (as he elsewhere in a similar way proves the absence of pious affection on the part of the traitor) by a subsequent act, ch. Joh 12:3 [Marys anointing Jesus feet with costly ointment of spikenard, and wiping His feet with her hair]. [By one remarkable act, either good or bad, any one may be rendered notable to all eternity.-V. g.] It was not merely by the raising up of her brother to life, that she was first stirred up to such a work.- , the Lord) An appropriate appellation here.-, whose) for of her. The language here is very plain.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 11:2
Joh 11:2
And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.-This anointing is most likely that mentioned in chapter 12:1 which occurred after the raising of Lazarus, but this was written by John after that occurred and he refers to it to distinguish this Mary from other Marys mentioned in connection with Jesus. [There was Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Mark, and Mary the wife of Cleophas.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
that Mary: Joh 12:3, Mat 26:6, Mat 26:7, Mar 14:3
anointed: Luk 7:37, Luk 7:38
Reciprocal: Luk 7:2 – was sick Luk 7:36 – one
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
There were several Marys in those times, and John wanted his readers to know which one he was writing about, so he specified by referring to her deed of wiping the feet of Jesus with her hair. That event had not occurred at the time of Lazarus’ sickness, but it had been done at the time John wrote his record. He knew it would be read, and mentioned the incident as a mark of identification. Note that John did not merely say “it was that woman which anointed the Lord,” etc., for that deed was performed by another woman a!so (Luk 7:36-50), and the cases were different in some respects. The other woman was classed as a “sinner” which did not apply to Mary. That woman washed the feet of Jesus with tears (of penitential sorrow), while Mary only anointed his feet before wiping them with her hair. Hence the writer says it was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, etc.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
(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 which anointed, etc.] that is, which had anointed the Lord formerly. For,
I. It is fit the Aorist should have its full force. Whoever will not grant this, let him give a reason why Bethany, which was Lazarus’ town, should not be called by his name; but by the name of Mary and her sister Martha. Was it not because those names had been already well known in the foregoing story, whereas till now there had not been one word mentioned of their brother Lazarus? So that anointed respects a noted story that was past, viz. that which is related Luk 7:37.
II. There can be no reason given why the evangelist should say this proleptically, as if he had respect to that passage in Joh 12:3, when he was to relate that story so soon after this. But there may be a sufficient one given why it should have relation to an anointing that had been formerly done: and that is, that it might appear how that familiarity arose betwixt Christ and the family of Lazarus, so far that they could so confidently send for Jesus when Lazarus was sick: for Mary, Lazarus’ sister, had some time before anointed his feet.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Joh 11:2. (Now it was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) These words seem intended to bring into view the closeness of the relation between Jesus and Mary. There are particulars in which this narrative closely resembles that of chap. Joh 2:1-11 : as there we have the closest tie of kindred, so here we read of the most intimate friendship. But the one tie as well as the other must yield to the voice of God. The anointing was when John wrote well and widely known (see Mat 26:13): it is here specially mentioned in anticipation of chap. 12.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 2
Which anointed the Lord, &c.; afterwards, as narrated John 12:3-9.