Why did Mary wipe Jesus’ feet with her hair (John 12:3)?

Jesus was anointed on three separate occasions in the Gospels (Matthew 26:6–13; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8). John’s Gospel relates the last of the anointings, which takes place six days before Passover.

In John 12:3, the apostle writes, “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” The fact that Mary wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair rather than a towel shows her deep humility and focus on honoring the Lord.

The apostle John reports the dinner at Bethany where the anointed took place occurred six days before Passover (John 21:1). John’s mention of Passover is important. This was Jesus’ final week on earth. This was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) meeting with good friends a final time. Christ is called “our Passover lamb” in 1 Corinthians 5:7; He is the sacrifice that saves us from death.

Jesus links the anointing by Mary to His impending death and burial, telling those present, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial” (John 12:7). Mary’s act of humble service, then, becomes a prophetic act that points to the suffering of the Savior in a few days’ time.

The amount of perfume Mary used to anoint Jesus’ feet was equivalent to a year’s wages (John 12:5). The perfume was made from “pure nard” (verse 3), an ingredient imported from northern India and used to anoint kings. After applying perfume to Jesus’ feet, Mary “wiped his feet with her hair” (John 12:3). In Jewish culture, women rarely let their hair down in public. Moreover, a woman’s hair was a symbol of her glory and beauty (see 1 Corinthians 11:14–15). On this occasion, Mary disregarded cultural norms and let down her pride and glory to display complete devotion and love to Jesus.

John also notes that “the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). This suggests extravagant love that had a lasting effect on all those who witnessed the act. It also suggests that Mary’s beautiful act of service will extend beyond the present moment to become a lasting memorial. One commentary points out that “the whole house of God ever since has been fragrant with her immortal and prophetic act” (The Pulpit Commentary, entry for John 12:3).