Since the raising of Lazarus, Yeshua had left the region of Jerusalem because the Sanhedrin had sought to kill Him. Those that had gone to Jerusalem prior to the Passover for the period of cleansing were looking for Yeshua and not finding Him (John 11:55-57). As we saw Wednesday, Yeshua and His disciples had gone to Ephraim and stayed, and then traveled, or stayed, in Jericho on their way back to Jerusalem. John is the only one that records Yeshua going to Bethany first (John 12:1-8) where there was a feast given for Him. Martha helped serve the meal.
Lazarus was reclining there with Yeshua, and because people heard Yeshua was in Bethany, they came out to see Him, as well as to see Lazarus who had been rised from the dead. (Did you ever realize before how close Lazarus’ resurrection was in relation to Yeshua’s resurrection? It was fresh in people’s minds.) Because of this gathering of people to see Yeshua AND Lazarus, the priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well (John 12:9-11). Outside of these few verses, no more is recorded about an attempt on the life of Lazarus.
Since this event took place six days prior to the Passover, we place it on Thursday, and you will see why later when the Passover is placed on Wednesday next week.
In John’s account of the meal in Bethany, we see that Mary pours about a pint of perfume over Yeshua’s feet and wipes His feet with her hair. The text doesn’t say which Mary does this, but based on the context of this being at the home of Mary and Martha, we may safely assume this is that Mary. Matthew and Mark record a similar event, but Mark reports it as happening two days prior to the Passover. Also, it’s at a differet house and the woman isn’t named. We’ll mention this more on Monday.
John records that Judas is the one to complain that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Yeshua rebukes him and says that this perfume was saved for the preparation of His burial (John 12:7).
His passion begins!