by the presence of many
uninvited lookers-on in that time; and we are not surprized to learn,
therefore, that many people were there and that they had come "not for
Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had
raised from the dead." Lazarus was a subject of much interest and
doubtless of curiosity among the people; and at the time of his
privileged and intimate association with Jesus in Bethany, the chief
priests were plotting to put him to death, on account of the effect his
restoration had had upon the people, many of whom believed on Jesus
because of the miracle.

That supper in Bethany was an event never to be forgotten. Mary, the
more contemplative and spiritually minded of the two sisters, she who
loved to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His words, and who had
been commended for having so chosen the one needful thing, which her
more practical sister lacked,[1060] brought from among her treasures an
alabaster cruse containing a pound of costly spikenard ointment; she
broke the sealed flask[1061] and poured its fragrant contents upon the
head and feet of her Lord, and wiped His feet with her loosened
tresses.[1062] To anoint the head of a guest with ordinary oil was to do
him honor; to anoint his feet also was to show unusual and signal
regard; but the anointing of head and feet with spikenard, and in such
abundance, was an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to
kings.[1063] Mary's act was an expression of adoration; it was the
fragrant outwelling of a heart overflowing with worship and affection.

But this splendid tribute of a devout woman's love was made the cause of
disagreeable protest. Judas Iscariot, treasurer of the Twelve, but
dishonest, avaricious, and small-souled in character, vented his
grumbling complaint, saying: "Why was not this ointment sold for three
hundred pence, and given to the poor?"[1064] His seeming solicitude for
the poor was all hypocrisy. He was a thief and lamented that he had not
been given the precious ointment to sell, or that the price had not been
turned into the bag of which he was the self-interested custodian.
Mary's use of the costly unguent had been so lavish that others beside
Judas had let their surprize grow into murmuring; but to him is
attributed the distinction of being the chief complainer. Mary's
sensitive nature was pained by the ungracious words of disapproval; but
Jesus interposed, saying: "Why trouble ye the woman? for she