[Footnote 8:  Matt. xx. 28.]

The custom was to come to Jerusalem several days before the Passover, in order to prepare for it.  Jesus arrived late, and at one time his enemies thought they were frustrated in their hope of seizing him.[1] The sixth day before the feast (Saturday, 8th of Nisan, equal to the 28th March[2]) he at last reached Bethany.  He entered, according to his custom, the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, or of Simon the leper.  They gave him a great reception.  There was a dinner at Simon the leper’s,[3] where many persons were assembled, drawn thither by the desire of seeing him, and also of seeing Lazarus, of whom for some time so many things had been related.  Lazarus was seated at the table, and attracted much attention.  Martha served, according to her custom.[4] It seems that they sought, by an increased show of respect, to overcome the coolness of the public, and to assert the high dignity of their guest.  Mary, in order to give to the event a more festive appearance, entered during dinner, bearing a vase of perfume which she poured upon the feet of Jesus.  She afterward broke the vase, according to an ancient custom by which the vessel that had been employed in the entertainment of a stranger of distinction was broken.[5] Then, to testify her worship in an extraordinary manner, she prostrated herself at the feet of her Master and wiped them with her long hair.[6] All the house was filled with the odor of the perfume, to the great delight of every one except the avaricious Judas of Kerioth.  Considering the economical habits of the community, this was certainly prodigality.  The greedy treasurer calculated immediately how much the perfume might have been sold for, and what it would have realized for the poor.  This not very affectionate feeling, which seemed to place something above Jesus, dissatisfied him.  He liked to be honored, for honors served his aim and established his title of Son of David.  Therefore, when they spoke to him of the poor, he replied rather sharply:  “Ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.”  And, exalting himself, he promised immortality to the woman who in this critical moment gave him a token of love.[7]

[Footnote 1:  John xi. 56.]

[Footnote 2:  The Passover was celebrated on the 14th of Nisan.  Now in the year 33, the 1st of Nisan corresponded with Saturday, 21st of March.]

[Footnote 3:  Matt. xxvi. 6; Mark xiv. 3.  Cf.  Luke vii. 40, 43, 44.]

[Footnote 4:  It is customary, in the East, for a person who is attached to any one by a tie of affection or of domesticity, to attend upon him when he goes to eat at the house of another.]

[Footnote 5:  I have seen this custom still practised at Sour (Zoar.)]

[Footnote 6:  We must remember that the feet of the guests were not, as amongst us, concealed under the table, but extended on a level with the body on the divan, or triclinium.]