It 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.

For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."

While 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.

But there were some who had indignation among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?

For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.

But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.

For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.

She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

Most assuredly I tell you, wherever this gospel may be preached throughout the whole world, that also which this woman has done will be spoken of for a memorial of her."

Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.

They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.