Mary Anointed Jesus feet
Mary, sister of both Lazarus and Martha, anointed Jesus' feet with spikenard six days before He was to be crucified. Spikenard is a very expensive perfumed ointment used for anointing the dead.
Judas Iscariot objected to this apparent waste of money, protesting that it should have been given to the poor. Jesus replied that while the poor will always be with us, I will be crucified in just a few days time.
This happened at the house were Mary, Lazarus, and Martha lived. This is the same Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead.
This was His first of two anointing in a week with perfumed ointment, the next took place two days prior to the crucifixion. Mary knew that her friend was going to die on the Cross, while those around her, whom Jesus was still teaching, could not believe, or understand, that this was going to happen.
Background Reading:
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
5 "'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."
6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found
out
that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see
Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10
So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11
for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and
putting their faith in him.
John 12:1-11
Read the other times Jesus was anointed with perfume: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3 and Luke 7:36
More Information:
The jars were sealed and had to be broken for the contents to be used. So it was use the jar once and throw it away. The perfume was usually used on the wearer at their death. The perfume cost about a year's wages.