When Judas Seems Right in the Moment

A Closer look at the Anointing of Jesus

Apr 14, 2025

Matthew 26, Mark 14, John 12

Maybe they were murmurs. Maybe they were shouts. “What is she doing?” certainly cut through the room, more than once. At first, the question, would have seemed noble even devout. After all, the Jewish concept of Bal Taschit made it clear, “thou shalt not destroy.”

Drawn from Deuteronomy 20:19-20, which forbid the destruction of fruit trees during sieges, this mitzvah involves more than fruit. Wasteful destruction of anything, which could be used to help others, was viewed as sinful, even if the thing had no owner. Instinctively, the idea resonates, especially among those who grew up in the days before “rage rooms”.

Conspicuous consumption was also out of bounds. In the days of Jesus, even the use of costly perfumes was covered by the mitzvah. Because the value of the nard could have easily reached 300 denarii, (nearly $55,000 today), everybody knew, it could be used for weddings or to prepare bodies for burial, nothing else. After all, there were widows and orphans who needed to be fed. However, this woman, Mary, took something so precious and just poured it out, in front of everyone.

Judas reacted, as we often do, quickly with indignance, John 12:5-6. He was exposing his heart. Of course, Judas seemed right in the moment. Who, but the Master, could have seen the heart of a thief and the will of the Father on display, before them? Then, perfectly upholding the Law, Jesus, the One who knows hearts and God’s plans spoke. Like the binding with Paul’s belt, Acts 21:11, or Jeremiah’s yoke, Jeremiah 27, Mary’s act had been prophetic and completely permissible. When she offered all that she had and was attacked by the wicked around her, Mary did not defend herself Jesus did.

Mark 14 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9 Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will al so be spoken of in memory of her.” 10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to [c]betray Him to them. 11 They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

How did Judas respond to the insight from his rabbi? Pride partnered with greed and led to betrayal. Thirty coins, worth roughly $400, was all it cost to convince the “disciple” to turn on his Lord. Unfortunately, 300 denarii worship is rarely understood by those with a 30-coin plan. Often, we sneer at Judas for his 30 coins. Recently, another’s post wondered how often do we betray Jesus for so much less: 30 minutes online, 30 words of gossip, 30 minutes of a television show, $30 dollars of withheld tithe? In contrast Mary’s lavishness poured like oil from a heart embracing the Savior. Nothing could be withheld from the Lord who raised her brother, was present in her home, allowed her to “sit at His feet”, and whose death, burial, and resurrection would offer redemption to us all, even if Judas seemed right in the moment. That is Worth Remembering