John 12 - NIV LifeConnect Study Bible

12:3 “Nard” is the name of both a plant and the fragrant oil it yielded (see note on Mk 14:3). Since it was exorbitantly expensive, Mary’s act of devotion was costly—the pint (473 ml) of nard would have cost about a year’s wage for a day-laborer. Her action was also unusual, both because she poured the oil on Jesus’ feet (normally it was poured on the head) and because she used her hair to wipe them (a respectable woman did not unbind her hair in public).

12:12 During the Passover and the week-long Festival of Unleavened Bread, the population of Jerusalem increased from about fifty thousand to several hundred thousand.

12:13 Palm branches were used in celebrations of victory. For “Hosanna!” see the note on Mt 21:9.

12:42 Many Jewish leaders believed in Jesus, though they remained secret devotees for fear of excommunication (see the note on 9:22). Two such cases in this Gospel are Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (see 3:1–2; 19:38–39).