This post begins with a brief overview of chapter 12, followed by commentary on 1-11. Translated by Qwen.
Father Joseph Corluy, Commentary on John 12:1-11
Argumentum
Supper made for Christ at Bethany six days before Passover; Lazarus sits at table; Mary anoints Jesus Jn 12:1-8. The Jews think about killing Lazarus Jn 12:9-11. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem Jn 12:12-19. Certain Gentiles wish to see Jesus Jn 12:20-22. Jesus, troubled in spirit foreseeing the passion, prays to the Father and a voice is heard from heaven; Christ to be glorified through the passion Jn 12:23-33. He continues to discuss his death with the crowd Jn 12:34-36. The evangelist notes that their unbelief was predicted Jn 12:37-43. End of Christ's discourse about himself and his mission and about the necessity of faith in him Jn 12:44-50.
Jn 12:1
BEFORE SIX DAYS OF PASSOVER. It is a Hellenism [Greek construction]: πρὸ ἓξ ἡμερῶν τοῦ πάσχα. Therefore on Friday before his passion, namely after sunset, the 9th of Nisan having begun (for Passover begins on the first day of unleavened bread, on Thursday 14 Nisan at sunset). HE CAME TO BETHANY on his last journey towards Jerusalem, there about to die soon. WHERE LAZARUS HAD BEEN. Dead. More clearly in Greek: ὅπου ἦν Λάζαρος ὁ τεθνηκώς [where Lazarus was, the dead man].
Jn 12:2
THEY MADE A SUPPER FOR HIM THERE. His friends, among whom the family of Lazarus, in the house of Simon the leper (Matt. 26:6; Mark 14:3). Concerning the evangelical harmony about this supper, see Dissertation on the Three Women, p. 265-270. This supper was made on Saturday, which was not an obstacle to the law. Nothing also prohibited Jews from coming from Jerusalem to see Lazarus, for Bethany was distant from Jerusalem by a Sabbath journey (cf. Luke 24:50-53 with Acts 1:12).
Jn 12:3
MARY, sister of Martha and Lazarus, as is evident from the juxtaposition. A POUND, Greek λίτραν [litran]. OF OINTMENT OF NARD PISTIC, πιστικῆς [pistikēs], genuine, from πίστις [pistis, faith]. PRECIOUS AND ANOINTED THE FEET OF JESU, in the manner of Orientals reclining on a couch so that the feet lay behind (cf. Luke 7:38). AND WIPED, before anointing as it seems. AND THE HOUSE WAS FILLED, whence the price of the ointment is commended. Matthew and Mark say the woman anointed the head of Jesus. Whence they and John mutually supplement each other; Mary, having anointed the feet of Jesus, poured the remainder of the nard over his head. Such anointings were also done among Romans. Thus Tibullus: "Let his temples distill with pure nard." And Pliny 13:3: "We have seen also the traces of feet dyed with unguents."
Jn 12:4
One here is said to have murmured; among the Synoptics, several. Judas indeed is to be thought to have begun out of avarice; the others consented out of mercy for the poor.
Jn 12:5
FOR THREE HUNDRED DENARII. Pliny 12:26 says the price of unguents varies between 25 and 300 denarii for one pound, but assigns to nard the best place among unguents.
Jn 12:6
HAVING THE BAGS, for the college of Christ and the apostles. THOSE THINGS WHICH WERE PUT IN, for their sustenance. HE CARRIED, Greek τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν [ta ballomena ebastazen]. Whence he had occasion of attributing to himself by stealing from the common goods. Others translate ἐβάσταζεν [ebastazen] as auferebat [he was carrying away/stealing].
Jn 12:7
LET HER ALONE, lest you cause her trouble. Greek ἄφες [aphes] in the singular. THAT SHE MAY KEEP IT FOR THE DAY OF MY BURIAL. Thus also in Greek in many and good sources: ἵνα τηρήσῃ [hina terēsē]. But the Textus Receptus and many others have τετήρηκεν [tetērēken]. Tischendorf prefers the former reading, according to which it ought to be translated "that she may have kept it," according to the underlying matter, for the action was already placed. The best commentary on this verse is given by St. Mark 14:8: "She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial." She indeed was ignorant of the impending burial of Jesus, but Jesus declares that in fact the matter stood thus, revealing his death to be so near that the present anointing could avail for the preparation of burying the body. Whence thus implicitly: Such an anointing for my body to be buried could not be blamed. But indeed. Therefore.
Jn 12:8
Therefore what Mary did deserves praise of extraordinary love and service toward me. Care for the body of Christ and concern for the poor do not exclude each other. NB SS. Matthew and Mark immediately after narrating the history of this supper, which they report with omitted historical sequence, explain the pact made by Judas with the Jews for handing over Jesus. Hence the opinion of St. Augustine etc. is very probable, that Judas, on occasion of the price of this ointment lost for him, thought about handing over the Master so that the reward of betrayal might compensate the lost profit. The mandate of the Jews (ch. 11:56) stimulated him to this.
Jn 12:9
A GREAT CROWD FROM THE JEWS, Jerusalemites. AND THEY CAME to Bethany. BUT ALSO TO SEE LAZARUS, Greek ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἴδωσιν [alla kai ton Lazaron idōsin]. For it is evident from the preceding chapter that this resurrection was widely known in Jerusalem.
Jn 12:10
THEY THOUGHT TO KILL LAZARUS ALSO. They do not think about contesting the truth of the miracle, but about removing its vivid proof and memory in Lazarus.
Jn 12:11
FOR ON ACCOUNT OF LAZARUS MANY were going to Jesus.
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