1   It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

High   holy day remembering deliverance from Egypt merged with week of   holiness. Peak of the Jewish holy calendar & anticipation of the Messiah.   Multitudes in Jerusalem.

And   the chief priests and the scribes

The   ceremonial and legal leaders of the people. Mentioned 9x together in Mark   (vs43,53/15.1)

were   seeking to arrest Him by stealth and kill Him,

"were   all this while seeking" / by decoy, bait in a trap, deceit / intent on   eliminating Him

2   for they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the   people."

preferred   to avoid this high Holy day for fear of an uprising of the populace / who is   in charge?

3   And while He was at Bethany   in the house of Simon the leper,

the   'house of dates' just 2 mi. east of Jerusalem / Simon, a popular name, prob.   healed by Jesus

as   He was reclining at table,

manner   of eating: low table spread, guests lay on pillows, leaning back to table

a   woman come with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly,

Mary,   sister of Lazarus (Jn12) / carved stone container of fragrant root oils   ('spikenard')

and   she broke the flask and poured it over His head.

perhaps   her family heirloom - opened to be consumed, all on the Lord / w/o a word

4   There were some who said to themselves indignantly,

Esp.   Judas complained (Jn12.4-6) / greatly displeased / cannot conceive what love   can do

"Why   was the ointment wasted like that?

Looking   at the oil running down Jesus' head, saw nothing but waste. [Judas wasted his   life!]

5   For this ointment could have been sold

always   another opinion! vindicated by association with humanitarian aid

for   more than three hundred denarii

gift   evaluated in money (a year's wage) -- not in love or purpose or real good   accomplished

and   given to the poor." And they scolded her.

implication:   the poor are worth more than Jesus. Poor woman lashed by harsh criticism.

6   But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her?

The   Lord comes to His friend's defense: "Away! Cease! You trouble-makers!"

She   has done a beautiful thing to me.

Jesus   commended her good act as lovely, attractive, charming.

7   For you always have the poor with you,

Never   a cure for poverty. Always the 'haves' and 'have-nots.' Nature of living in   scarcity.

and   whenever you want, you can do good for them.

This   provides perpetual occasion for service. Only the 'want' (desire) need be   supplied.

But   you do not always have Me.

His   time was short -- just 2 more days, and those not full or pleasant. After,   another 40.

8   She has done what she could;

All   that is expected of us. Not super-deeds, but that within our capability.

she   has anointed by body before hand for burial.

We   never know what timeliness a good deed may have. Now is always a good time to   act.

9   And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole   world,

Confident   expectation of extent of evangelism. His story would be told to all humanity.

what   she has done will be told in memory of her."

And   this woman's act included in tale of His great life. What an honor to have   even a brief mention in the story of the life of Christ.

10   Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve,

One   of the 12, hand-picked by the Lord Himself. Evil seed of the plan built in.

went   to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them.

His   mind set another way. Q: What was his purpose? to promote? or pull down?

11   And when they heard it, they were glad

A   critical piece of the 'how' to stop Jesus comes to them. Progress toward   their intention.

and   promised to give him money.

A   reward offered to secure their purpose. Willing to pay to achieve their goal.

And   he sought an opportunity to betray Him.

The   conspiracy developed. Judas had now only to find the 'right' time and place   to deliver.