1It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might sieze him by deception, and kill him.
2For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."
3While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, there came a woman having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard -- very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head.
4But there were some who had indignation among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?
5For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.
6But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
7For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.