Study Desk

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the Leper,

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table.

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, "Why this waste?

But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

"For this perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor."

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me.

When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

"For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.

For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

"For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.

For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

"Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her."

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.