(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
JOHN 11:2KJVWhat does John 11:2 mean?
John 11:2 identifies Mary as the woman who anointed the Lord Jesus with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, and notes that her brother Lazarus was the one who was sick. This verse connects Mary to a specific, well-known act of devotion and clarifies which Mary is being mentioned in the story.
John, the writer, is giving readers a reminder about Mary’s identity before telling the story of Lazarus’s illness and resurrection. The verse points back to an event that will be described later in John’s Gospel (John 12), helping readers keep track of the people involved. This detail sets the stage for understanding the relationships and emotional weight of the events that follow.
The Greek behind John 11:2
- The word for "anointed" (ἠλείψεν, ēleipsen) means to pour or rub oil or ointment on someone, often as an act of honor or devotion. This highlights Mary’s deep respect and love for Jesus.
- The word for "ointment" (μύρῳ, myrō) refers to a costly, fragrant oil used for special occasions, emphasizing the value of Mary’s gift.
- The word for "wiped" (ἐξέμαξεν, exemaxen) means to dry or clean by wiping, showing the personal and humble nature of Mary’s action as she used her own hair.
Why John 11:2 matters
- John 11:2 helps readers distinguish this Mary from other women named Mary in the Gospels, making it clear which person is involved in the story of Lazarus.
- By mentioning Mary’s act of anointing Jesus before it is narrated in John 12, the verse signals the importance of her relationship with Jesus and foreshadows a key moment in his ministry.
- This background detail prepares readers to understand the emotional connections and significance of the events in the rest of John 11, especially the reactions of Mary and her sister Martha to Lazarus’s illness and death.