THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS AND HIS ANOINTING IN BETHANY (Mark 14:1–11)

This event took place six days before Passover, which would put it on the Friday before the Triumphal Entry (John 12:1). By placing this story between the accounts of the plot to arrest Jesus, Mark contrasted the treachery of Judas and the leaders with the love and loyalty of Mary. The ugliness of their sins makes the beauty of her sacrifice even more meaningful.Neither Mark nor Matthew names the woman, but John tells us that it was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11:1–2). Mary is found three times in the Gospel story; and each time, she is at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38–42; John 11:31–32; 12:1–8). Mary had a close fellowship with the Lord as she sat at His feet and listened to His Word. She is a good model for all of us to follow.

I. The leaders’ plot to arrest and kill Jesus (14:1–2)

1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. 2 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

A. The religious leaders could not stand it any longer.

They wanted to get rid of Jesus, so they began to hatch a plan to accomplish their goal. Timing was critical.

The timing of this growing crisis could not have been more problematic. Passover was at hand, the masses were looking for a new deliverer, and the city was rife with rumors about Jesus. The chief priests and scribes needed to do away with him, but if they acted publicly, they risked the wrath of the crowd.

B. The answer to their dilemma.

One of Jesus’ own approached them with an offer to betray him. What is missing from the story, however, is an explicit motive. It is clear why the religious and political leaders of Judea were opposed to Jesus, but it is not clear why Judas turned against him.

What moved Judas to hand Jesus over to his enemies? Mark’s account is very restrained. He said nothing about Judas’s motive. Matthew 26:15 suggests that it was money and indicates that the amount was thirty silver coins, something else about which Mark was silent. Luke 22:3 and John 13:2, 27 indicate that he was demon possessed. There has been much speculation about the motive. Was Judas disappointed about Jesus’ refusal to be a political Messiah? Was he attempting to force Jesus to take decisive action against his enemies? Was he a spy all along? No confident answer can be given.

II. Jesus’ anointing in Bethany (14:3–9)

3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

A. The woman used expensive perfume.

The breaking of the jar meant that all the perfume was to be used for this occasion. The anointing of the head was not in itself restricted to royal or priestly anointing. It may simply have been the woman’s dramatic and expensive way of expressing devotion and gratitude.

Whether she knew it or not, this woman was encouraging him at the outset of the final phase of his ministry. It was an expensive offering that she gave to the Lord. Spikenard was imported from India, and a whole jar would have cost the equivalent of a common worker’s annual income.

B. Neither Mark nor Matthew names the woman, but John tells us that it was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.

Mary gave lavishly and lovingly. She was not ashamed to show her love for Christ openly.There were three consequences to her act of worship. First, the house was filled with the beautiful fragrance of the ointment. Second, the disciples, led by Judas, criticized Mary for wasting her money! Third, Jesus commended Mary and accepted her gracious gift.

Jesus knew the heart of Judas and understood why the other disciples followed his bad example. He also knew Mary’s heart and quickly defended her (Rom. 8:33–39). No matter what others may say about our worship and service, the most important thing is that we please the Lord. The fact that others misunderstand and criticize us should not keep us from showing our love to Christ. Our concern should be His approval alone.

C. When Mary gave her best she started a “wave of blessing”

She was a blessing to Jesus as she shared her love, and she was a blessing to her home as the fragrance spread. Were it not for Mary, her village, Bethany, would probably have been forgotten. The account of her deed was a blessing to the early church that heard about it and, because of the records in three of the Gospels, Mary has been a blessing to the whole world—and still is!

Mary gave her best in faith and love; Judas gave his worst in unbelief and hatred. He solved the problem of how the Jewish leaders could arrest Jesus without causing a riot during the feast. He sold his Master for the price of a slave.

III. Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus (14:10–11)

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

A. In the midst of such an expression of love there was great hatred and jealousy by another.

Judas was on the “inside” with Jesus. He traveled with him and was one of his chosen disciples. Yet, Judas’s action shows that just to know a lot about Jesus does not save a person. There must be a response of faith and love.

The religious leaders were delighted. They now had an “inside man” who could pick the right time to hand Jesus over to them. Now they could avoid a riot by the people during the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. They sealed the deal by giving Judas what he loved most—money.