The close of John chapter 11 informed us in verse 54 that Jesus and his learning-disciples went to the city of Ephraim and they remained there away from Jerusalem - and verse 57 informed us that the chief-priests and the Pharisees in Jerusalem had given commandments in order that if ever someone would know where Jesus was, he would then disclose that location to them so that they would apprehend him.
The next event recorded in the Book of John references 6 days before Passover. Between John chapters 11 and 12 there were other events that occurred during his journey from Ephraim to Bethany (refer to Matthew 20:17-34, Mark 10:32-52, and Luke 18:31 to 19:18).
John 12:1-8:
12:1Therefore Jesus went into Bethany six days before Passover where Lazarus was whom Jesus raised-up out-from dead-people. .2Therefore they made a meal for him there; and Martha ministered, but Lazarus was one from the (people) lying-up (at the table) together with him, .3therefore Mary, having taken a pound of ointment believably much-priced spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hairs; and the house was filled from the odor of the ointment. .4But Judas the Iscariot, one from his learning-disciples, the (one) about to give him over, says, .5"Because-of-what was this ointment not sold of three-hundred denarius and given to the poor-people?" .6But he said this not because it was a concern for him concerning the poor-people but because he was a thief and having the receptacle he lifted-up the-things being thrown (into it). .7Therefore Jesus said, "You must leave her in order that into the day of my preparation-for-burial she may keep it, .8for the poor-people you always have with yourselves, but me you do not always have."
Following-on logically from the previous events recorded in John chapter 11, Jesus went into Bethany 6 days before Passover (prior to, in front of, in advance of this feast; refer to John 11:55). During that past time, historically, Lazarus was living in Bethany, whom Jesus raised-up alive in his physical/fleshy body from among the rest of the dead-people, who remain dead until the time of their resurrection (refer to John 11:43 and 44). Bethany was close to Jerusalem on the east side of the Mount of Olives.
The time of year that the Passover was sacrificed was on the 14th Nisan in the Judean calendar (some scholars indicate that this date in the year 28 A.D. corresponds to Wednesday April 28, from sunset April 27 to sunset April 28). Six days prior to this Passover would be on the 8th Nisan (Thursday April 22).
Therefore Martha, Lazarus, and Mary made a meal (a principal meal such as a banquet, feast) for him in Bethany; and during that past time...
...and the house was filled (the dwelling was filled-up, made full) from the smell of the ointment.
But Judas from the city of Kerioth, who was one of Jesus' learning-disciples (students) - and John the writer of this book explains that this Judas is emphatically and specifically the one being on the point of giving Jesus over (handing him over, delivering him alongside or beside another, handing him along to those who want to kill Jesus) - says...
Again, John the writer explains to the readers of this writing that Judas said this - not because during that past time it was continuing to be a concern (a care, interest, an object of thought) to/for for him about the poor-people - but on the contrary, he said this because...
Therefore Jesus said...
In verse 3 the verb translated "anoint" means: to smear or spread oil or ointment upon someone. This verb is not the same as the word used regarding to anoint someone or something officially with oil being dedicated to God and which is also the root word for “Christ.”
[Reference: Deuteronomy 15:11; Matthew 5:3, 11:5, 21:1, 26:11; Mark 11:1; Luke 19:29; John 6:64, 70 and 71, 10:10 and 13, 11:2 and 55.]
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