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.)
Original Language Analysis
Μαρία
that Mary
G3137
Μαρία
that Mary
Strong's:
G3137
Word #:
3 of 21
maria or mariam (i.e., mirjam), the name of six christian females
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον
the Lord
G2962
κύριον
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
7 of 21
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῆς
his
G846
αὐτῆς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῆς
his
G846
αὐτῆς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἧς
whose
G3739
ἧς
whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφὸς
brother
G80
ἀδελφὸς
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
19 of 21
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
Cross References
John 12:3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.Mark 14:3And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
Historical Context
Written decades after the events, John's Gospel assumes knowledge of Jesus' ministry. Bethany was a village about two miles from Jerusalem, serving as Jesus' base during His final visits to the city.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's assumption of reader knowledge challenge us to study the whole Gospel narrative?
- What does Mary's later anointing reveal about the family's relationship with Jesus?
- How does this retrospective reference demonstrate God's sovereignty in Scripture's composition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse identifies Mary as the one who anointed Jesus, an event not yet recorded in John's narrative but described in chapter 12. The Gospel writer assumes readers' familiarity with this story, suggesting the Gospel's later composition. The mention establishes the family's devotion to Christ and foreshadows Mary's act of worship. John's retrospective reference demonstrates divine sovereignty in narrative arrangement.