Conversation Points for John 12:1-8

Study Format:
1. Read passage aloud. What did you notice in the reading? What words or phrase caught your attention?
2. Read passage aloud a second time. What questions would you ask the text?
3. Read passage aloud a third time. What do you hear God calling you to do or be in response to this text?

Interesting Ideas to Consider:
• The raising of Lazarus acts as the hinge point in John’s Gospel, when the focus switches from Jesus earthly ministry to Jesus’ journey to the cross. In the language of John’s gospel, Jesus’ “hour has come.” The raising of Lazarus, and the excitement that caused throughout the crowds, was the break point for the religious leaders, from then on, they were looking for ways to kill Jesus (Luke 11:45-54).
• Luke 12:1 situated the anointing of Jesus in the week of the Passover, a reminder of the nearness of Jesus hour.
• “Dinner” in 12:2 is the same word in the Greek as used to describe Jesus’ last supper with his disciples in 12:2, 4; 21:20. This alerts us to many echoes between the two meals.
• “to wipe” 12:3, is the same word to describe Jesus wiping his disciples feet in 13:5. Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet as an act of discipleship points to Jesus’ demonstration of discipleship by washing his disciples feet. Mary’s act of service toward Jesus is a model of discipleship, which the disciples are to demonstrate towards one another and the world after Jesus is no longer with them.
• In 11:39, when Jesus told them to roll the stone away from Lazarus tomb, Martha protested “Lord, already there is a stench.” Now in 12:3, the stench of death is replaced by the fragrance of love and devotion.
• 12:7 we see a double meaning in the perfume, it is also a reminder of Jesus’ death, and the anointing of bodies for burial.
• Judas is referred to as “a thief,” who “used to steal.” It harkens to John 10, Jesus teachings about the good shepherd. “The thief comes only to steal and destroy…” John 10:10.

Works Sourced:
O’Day, Gail. “The Gospel of John.” The New Interpreter’s Bible Volume IX. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995.