Ver. 1. And it came to pass when, &c.] This is our evangelist’s transition from the ministry of Christ’s doctrine to the mystery of his passion. He had hitherto taught salvation, and now is declared how he wrought it. He had done the office of a doctor, now of a redeemer: of a prophet, now of a priest.
Ver. 2. Is the feast of the passover] At which feast, Christ our passover was sacrificed for us, 1 Corinthians 5:7, and we were purchased by his blood, as Israel was typically out of the world by the blood of the paschal lamb; our hearts being sprinkled therewith by the hyssop bunch of faith, from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water, Hebrews 10:22.
Ver. 3. Then assembled together, &c.] Here was met a whole council of caitiffs (wretches) to crucify Christ. General councils may err then in necessary and fundamental points: as the Council of Ariminum and Seleucia (held in two cities, because no one was able to contain them for multitude, yet) decreed for Arius against the deity of Christ. The truth of God may be locked up within the hearts of such a company, as in competition of suffrages cannot make a greater part in a general council.
Ver. 4. Take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him] Craft and cruelty go commonly coupled in the Church’s adversaries. Neither of them “wants their mate,” as the Scripture speaks of those birds of prey and desolation, Isaiah 34:16. These priests and elders were so bitterly bent against Christ, that nothing would satisfy them but his blood. All plants and other creatures have their growth and increase to a period, and then their declination and decay, except only the crocodile, who grows bigger and bigger, even till death. So have all passions and perturbations in man’s mind their intentions and remissions, except only malicious revenge. This dies not, many times, but with the man (if that), as nothing can quench the combustible slime in Samosaris, nor the burning flame of the hill Chimaera, but only earth, 1 Peter 2:23. Saint Peter tells us, that our Saviour being reviled, did not only commit his cause to God, but himself to God: as expecting the increase of his enemies’ opposition, till they had put him to death.
Ver. 5. Not on the feast day, lest, &c.] But God would have it on that feast day, and no other, Acts 4:27. And here these wicked ones fulfil the divine decree: but no thanks to them: more than to Haman for Mordecai’s advancement, whereunto Haman held the stirrup only. Divinum consilium dum devitatur impletur, saith a Father.
Ver. 6. Now when Jesus was in Bethany] This history of a thing acted before Christ came to Jerusalem, comes in here somewhat out of place: to show the ground and occasion of Judas’ treason, which was discontent at the loss of such a prize, and our Saviour’s sharping him up for showing his dislike. In the house of Simon the leper] A leper he had been, but was now healed, and haply by Christ: whom therefore he entertaineth in way of thankfulness, as Matthew also did.
Ver. 7. An alabaster box of very precious, &c.] Pliny telleth us that they were wont to keep the most costly ointments in boxes of alabaster. And Herodotus reckoneth μυρου αλαβαστρον, an alabaster box of ointment, among the precious things that Cambyses the Persian sent for a present to the king of Ethiopia. Mary thought nothing too costly for Christ. [See Trapp on “Joh 12:3”]
Ver. 8. They had indignation] Not all, but one of them was displeased, viz. Judas (as John explains Matthew), who yet was of such esteem and authority among the disciples, that what he did they are all said to do, and possibly they might, some of them, be drawn to do the same by his example, and upon so specious a pretence of charity to the poor. To what purpose is this waste?] All seems to be lost to flesh and blood that is laid out upon Christ, his servants and services. “The people is idle,” said Pharaoh, when they would needs go worship in the wilderness. And Seneca jeers the Jews for wasting a seventh part of their lives on a weekly Sabbath. (Aug. de Civ. Dei.)
Ver. 9. For this ointment might have been sold] True, and better it had been sold, had it been a superfluous and idle expence; such as is today ordinary in fine clothes, sumptuous feasts, over stately buildings, &c. Back, belly, and building, these three B B B, like the daughters of the horseleech, suck out the blood of men’s substance. But here it is a senseless sentence that Judas uttereth, out of discontent only, that he missed so fat a morsel. Avarice made Judas, as it did Sejanus, think all which he acquired not, to be lost, Quicquid non acquiritur, damnum est, whatever is not gotten is lost.
Ver. 10. Why trouble ye the woman?] Christ will patronize his welldoers, and stick to them, though all forsake them, 2 Timothy 4:16,17. He many times pleads for them in the consciences of their greatest enemies, who spend more thoughts about such than the world is aware of: and are “afraid of the name of God, whereby they are called,” Deuteronomy 28:9,10.