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John 12:1

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 12:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.
John 12:1 — American Standard Version

Context — John 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Jesus therefore six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus raised from the dead.
2So they made him a supper there: and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at meat with him.
3Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that should betray him, saith,
← John 11:57John 12:2 →
← Full Chapter 12 John Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Jesus, six days before the passover, etc.] Or “before the six days of the passover”; not as designing the days of that feast, for they were seven; but as reckoning so many days back from it, that is, before the sixth day from the ensuing passover: if there were six complete days between this and the passover, as this way of speaking seems to imply; then this must be the day before the Jewish sabbath, and this is more likely, than that Christ should travel on the sabbath day: but if this was the sixth day before it, it was their sabbath day, and so at the going out of it in the evening, a supper was made for him, which with the Jews on that night, was a plentiful one; for they remembered…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY. (Joh 12:1-11) six days before the passover--that is, on the sixth day before it; probably after sunset on Friday evening, or the commencement of the Jewish sabbath preceding the passover.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then Jesus came to Bethany - This was near to Jerusalem, and it was from this place that he made his triumphant entry into the city. See the notes at Matthew 21:1. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Six days before the passover - Namely, on the Sabbath: that which was called by the Jews, "The Great Sabbath." This whole week was anciently termed "The great and holy week." Jesus came - From Ephraim, Joh 11:54. John 12:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:1-50 Two stories build simultaneously. A growing number of people are praising Jesus (this climaxes in 12:12-13), and the authorities are increasingly determined to arrest him and put him to death. • John records three events that occurred just days prior to Passover (12:1-11, 12-19, 20-36). Then he explains why most of the people refused to believe and details Jesus’ final public appeal (12:37-50). 12:1 Pilgrims from throughout Israel began arriving in Jerusalem the week before the Passover. The festival was on Thursday that year; Jesus arrived late the preceding Friday, just before the Sabbath.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“six: Joh 11:55 Bethany: Joh 11:1, Joh 11:44; Mat 21:17; Mar 11:11; Luk 24:50 John 12:2”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification