Martha and Mary - "Women of the Bible"

Martha = a lady. Mary = a tear.

What the story is about:

Martha and Mary of Bethany were two young women who knew Jesus well. They were close friends with Him, and shared several important episodes in His life. Their stories were told not only for this reason, but because the early Christians were arguing about what a woman could and could not do.

The stories about Martha and Mary staked a claim for women: that they could act as ministers within their communities.

The story of Martha and Mary of Bethany contains three different episodes, and within these 3 episodes, some very important lessons are taught by Christ. The main one being the Resurrection of the Priesthood:

Martha and Mary are visited by Jesus.
Luke 10:38-42. JOURNEY.

38-. Martha.
-38. Her reception of the Lord.
39-. Mary.
-39. Her listening to the Lord.
40-. Martha.
-40-42. Her Colloquy with the Lord.

(Verses 38-42 peculiar to Luke.)

Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.

(Notice that this house belonged to Martha, and Mary and Martha were sisters. So Martha was responsible for what took place within the household.)

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet,

(Mary often misunderstood, but always found "at the Lord's feet;" [1] her want of care, cp. v.42; [2] her following Martha, John 11:31; cp. v.32,33; [3] her anointing of the Lord's feet, John 12:3; cp. vv,5,7)

and heard His word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said,

-40-42. MARTHA. HER COLLOQUY WITH THE LORD.

-40. Carefulness.
-40-. Complaint of Mary.
-40. Request.
41. Carefulness.
42-. Approbation of Mary.
-42. Refusal.

"Lord,

(Notice the avoidance of the name "Jesus" by His disciples and others.)

dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

(Naturally the food that is served to maintain these physical bodies is important, but the one thing that is needful is the spiritual food that Jesus gives through His Words. Jesus is reminding Martha of the great love that her sister Mary had for Him and God's Word. Jesus is reminding Martha that she did not have to go to all the trouble cooking for Him, and worrying about all the things of the house. Jesus understood Martha, and her desire to be a good host, and he also understood that Mary put the hearing of the Word over assisting Martha in the kitchen. We all have choices to make, and many times we put our worldly obligations before the Word of God. Martha wanted the very best for Him, and was willing to sacrifice the one for the other.

If we are not careful, we can do the same thing in our lives. This is especially so with people that work in and close to a ministry. There is a lot of work connected with ministering to the needs of others, and if you are not careful it is easy to let the work pull you away from the context of the Word being taught. The point here is keep our work and the Word both in proper focus, and better balance our time. We need the Word, and to go without hurts us spiritually. Jesus is telling us to balance our efforts and make this living in the flesh easier, but don't lose sight of what the purpose of that ministry is all about. Keep your priorities in true perspective.)

Martha and Mary ask for Jesus’ help.

11:1-46. THE 7TH SIGH. THE RAISING OF LAZARUS.

1,2. The sign. Occasion.
3-5. The purpose. The glory of God.
6-44. The sign. Performance.
45,46. The Consequences. Belief of some and opposition of others.

(In the Greek, "Lazarus" means "Whom God helps", and in the Hebrew as "Eleazar". In the old Testament Eleazar was the third son of Aaron. Aaron had two older sons that were priests that were killed when they partook of strange fire, as were tending the altar of God. These two priests were lazy and were running late, so they took of the fire from their home to light their lamps, then they ran up to the altar of God, rather then lighting those lamps from the altar of God as required by God.

The flame from the altar of God was to be eternal fire. They used a strange fire, which is the equivalent of a priest using strange doctrine. The healing of the blind man, and Jesus walking on Solomon's porch are all part of the same lesson. Jesus is giving a lesson on how the priesthood would deteriorate over a period of time with the Nethinim taking over. Christ is going to show us that through Him, being the type of Eleazar the third priest son of Aaron who was true and loyal to God, He would revive the priesthood.

The priesthood at this time was spiritually dead, just as Lazarus was, and the two older sons of Aaron in the physical. The Nethinims had changed the priesthood and entered into the Temple duties that were set aside for only the Levitical priests, the offspring of Aaron. Thus by their controlling the altar of God and the teachings to the people, it made the priesthood dead. We saw what was important to these Kenite priests, their traditions and their merchandising, and anyone that would interfere with those traditions and the money bag they sought to kill. The mind of their priesthood was the mind of a murderer, because they were of their father Cain, the son of Satan from the beginning.

The lesson in raising Lazarus from the dead and stinking, was to give him new life; to show us how Christ would bring new life to the priesthood. You must understand these facts, or you will miss what Christ is teaching in this chapter.)

John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus,

(Same as Eleazar = God's help, high priest of Aaron.)

of Bethany, the town

(Or walled village. "Bethany" has a double meaning, either "the house of misery", or the "house of dates". About 25 miles from Jerusalem.)

of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with Her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

(Prior to Jesus Christ's death on the cross, this anointing of Jesus by Mary the sister of Lazarus, would be the only anointing that Christ would receive in those final days. Jesus had returned to the Jordan river where His ministry had begun. Jesus will now bring to life the true priesthood, which is to be the priesthood of Christ. Paul wrote in Hebrews 1:1; "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, Who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;"

There are both good shepherds and bad shepherds, but there is only one True Shepherd, and He is Jesus Christ. He is the Anointed One of God, that will bring the priesthood to life. We should remember that this is what this chapter is about, the bringing back to life the priesthood; and in that light, Lazarus will be brought back to life.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick."

(Lit. is weakening = is sinking.)

4 When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."

(He wants to make a point that nobody dies. The flesh body does, not the spiritual body.)

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

6-44. THE SIGN. PERFORMANCE.

6-16. Departure of the Lord.
17-44. Arrival of the Lord.

6-16. DEPARTURE, ETC.

6. Days (lit). Abode.
7. The Lord's proposal. "Let us go".
8. Disciples. Discussion.
9,10. Day (fig.). Work.
11-15. The Lord's proposal. "Let us go".
16. Disciples. Acquiescence.

6 When He had heard therefore that he was sick, He abode two days still in the same place where he was.

(Lazarus is dying and Jesus Christ is not in any hurry. By this time Lazarus was probably already dead, because the purpose of the sickness and death in the first place was to Glorify God, and His Son through it. Jesus remained an additional two days after Martha gave Him the message of Lazarus' sickness.)

7 Then after that saith He to His disciples, "Let us go into Judaea again."

8 His disciples say unto Him, "Master, the Jews

(Judean Kenites.)

of late sought to stone Thee; and goest Thou thither again?"

9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day?

(Reckoning from sunrise to sunset, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

(I.e. the sun naturally, the Sun of righteousness metaphorically.

It is important that we understand this verse. He that walks in Christ, walks in the light, and he that walks without Christ walks out of that light. Jesus is saying that as long as He is the light, you don't have to worry about the stones in the path. The power and glory of God will be brought forth. What is done for the glory of God, will be done and there is no force that can prevent it to come to pass.)

10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him."

11 These things said He: and after that He saith unto them, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep."

(They are still unaware of what Jesus will do, to glorify God, and through it, glorify Himself as the Son of God.)

12 Then said His disciples, "Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well."

13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

(Many times the priesthood seems to be asleep, and in a stupor concerning God's Word. Many churches seem dead in their teaching, and teach a God of the dead, rather then a God of the living. Teaching any part of souls sleeping in the grave is contrary to Christianity, and is contrary to God's Word. Those churches that teach such a thing are nothing but death houses. God is not a God of the dead, but the living. To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. Ecclesiastes 12:7 "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God Who Gave it."

It appears that the priesthood in many churches has digressed to the state to where it was before Christ resurrected it; for the common teaching today in the minds of many Christians is that ones bones lie in the grave, until a so-called rapture, when Christ and His angels will snatch that dead soul from the grave and give it new life at His coming. That is what was taught by the religious leaders of Jesus day, the same ones that plotted to kill Him.

Friend, the bones will never rise again, because the soul and spirit is already with the Father that created it. The soul and spirit left the instant the physical body died. This is the difference between your walking in the light, and walking in darkness. Those walking in darkness believe in soul sleep.)

14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, "Lazarus is dead.

(This shows that death had taken place some time before, probably soon after the message was sent by the sisters.)

15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him."

(This is a strong statement, for if Jesus was there and touched Lazarus, he would have been healed, but then the lesson that Jesus would be teaching would not be given. The reason was that Jesus wanted His disciples to believe in Him more strongly. In the Greek the word for "believe" is the verb "Pisteuo"; and it means to have strong the faith that you would hang your entire life on. This raising of Lazarus from the dead would show once and for all that Jesus was the Son of God, and all power from God was given to Him.

After telling His disciples the whole situation, and they know now that Jesus was going to raise a man from the dead, Jesus said, "Let us go unto him".)

16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus,

(= a twin, a Greek word with the same meaning as Thomas.)

unto his fellowdisciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

(I.e. the Lord, not with Lazarus. Thomas realized that to return to the neighborhood of Jerusalem meant certain death. He was doubtful.

The religious leaders had plotted to stone Jesus for what they considered blasphemy, and I am sure that they were on the lookout for Jesus the next time He entered their country. This is old doubting Thomas that is speaking up, and Christ has just told them they were going right back where the trouble was, to raise a dead man from the grave. Thomas needed some demonstrations of the power of God, through Jesus Christ. Thomas is thinking in the negative, and on the run already.

There are many today that think that when they are delivered up to witness before the Antichrist, they shall die. Yes the two witness shall die when Satan, the Antichrist strikes them, but God will protect His elect. God is the God of the living, and the Holy Spirit Himself will protect those walking in the light. Though the light is for twelve hours of the day, those in the light, the first fruits of the Lord receive double portion, and the twelve hours is extended to twenty four hours. God's light will protect you every hour of the day.)

17-44. THE ARRIVAL, ETC.

17,18. Arrival near Bethany.
19. The Jews present.
20-22. Martha.
23-27. Resurrection. Promise.
28-30. Arrival near Bethany.
31. The Jews Present.
32. Mary.
3-44. Resurrection. Performance.

17 Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

(This was to leave no doubt that he was dead.)

18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

(1 3/4 miles.)

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

(This is a Jewish custom of tradition that still holds to this day. The reason for the comforting of the loved ones, was their traditional belief and the thought of the soul of the loved one laying out there in the hole in the ground. It is called "soul sleep". This is pagan in origin, for God never taught any such thing. God's Word teaches us that for the soul to be absent from the body, it is present with the Lord; whether saved or unsaved. In heaven there is the separation of the souls, and a great insurmountable gulf between them.

Here again we have the traditions of the Jews entering in to comfort Martha and Mary. There will even be a few Kenites scattered amongst those giving comfort. For the term Jews here is in reference to all peoples livings within the boundaries of Judaea, not just the people of the tribe of Judah.)

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him: but Mary sat still in the house.

(Mary was hurting deeply for her brother that was gone from her.)

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

(She did not know that Jesus Christ deliberately held back. Remember He said, I held back for your sake, the sake of those that disciplined themselves under Him. Jesus is going to demonstrate His authority and power even over the dead. Satan brought death into the world, and Christ will take it away.)

22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee."

(Now that's faith!)

23-27. THE LORD'S PROMISE.

23. The Lord's promise (Lazarus).
24. Martha (knowledge).
25,26-. The Lord's promise (all believers).
-26. Martha (belief).

23 Jesus saith unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again."

(Jesus told her outright what He was about to do, and she related it to the traditions of the Jews. Do they teach that in your church, some day in the off future those souls with their spirits will come alive? Shame on you if you claim the name of Christ and still believe this pagan idea.)

24 Martha saith unto Him, "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

(She misunderstood. It sounds a lot like the rapture doctrine. Looking for a resurrection of the dead at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, is not of God. When you die, your soul goes immediately to the Father Which made it, and gave it life. The soul cannot die, except it be judged to death at the great white throne judgment, and then after the Millennium age, is the time of destruction in hell fire.)

25,26-. THE LORD'S PROMISE.

25-. Resurrection. "I am", &c. Declaration concerning Himself.
-25-. Life.
-25. Resurrection for the dead saints. Declaration concerning His own.
26-. Life for living ones.

25 Jesus said unto her, "I am

(EMPHATIC!!!)

the resurrection, and the life:

(He is the Author of life.)

he that believeth in Me,

(These words refer to 1 Thess. 4:16)

though he were dead, yet shall he live:

(It doesn't matter if the flesh is dead, you are alive spiritually)

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

(If you claim the name of Christ and call yourself a Christian, How do you answer the question that Jesus asked Martha here? Do you believe that whosoever that lives in this physical life, and believeth in Christ, their soul shall never die? That means that regardless what happens to this flesh body, their soul continues with life exactly as it is while in the flesh. Or are you one that thinks that the soul quits also until a time in the distant future?

Ecclesiastes the ninth chapter teaches that once the dead body dies and goes into the ground, nobody remembers the flesh, it is gone, it cannot learn, and it will never be brought up to life again. Why? Because that is where this flesh, which is made of the dust of the ground goes. Then as we read in Ecclesiastes 12 we see that the spirit which is the intellect of the soul, goes instantly at death to be with the Father. When the silver cord parts, that joins together the physical body with its spiritual soul body, that spirit and soul is not on the earth for the rest of this earth age.

Next time you attend a funeral, pay respects to the person, but that carcass is empty of all life, and on it's way to decay back to the dust of the earth. If he is a sinner, he has returned to the Father for judgment, and if he has repented of sin and has Christ in his heart, he will go for rewards. Many Christians know John 3:16 by heart; "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him, should not perish, but have eternal life."

To "perish" is to die, and be destroyed. It is to end all form of life, yet in their traditional rapture doctrine, that is exactly what is taught to be happening. The soul ceases to exist for the period of time through this flesh age. They denounce the very thing they hold dear. They believe those Kenite traditions.

Jesus claimed Himself to be eternal life, without end, and all those in Christ would have this life eternal. Then Jesus asked Martha, "Do you believe this?")

27 She saith unto Him, "Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God,

(Cp. Peter's confession in Matt. 16:16)

which should come into the world."

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, "The Master is come, and calleth for thee."

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him.

(Shows obedience.)

30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him.

31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, "She goeth unto the grave to weep there."

(Contrary to what Christ is trying to teach.

When these Jews saw Martha come in and say something to Mary, and they both jumped up and left. These Jews saw the two leave in haste, and figured Mary went to the grave to weep more. They wanted to stay with Mary, for that was the custom of the mourners and they followed Mary and Martha to the grave site of Lazarus. These people combined, with the disciples were the witnesses that Christ did have power over death, and that He truly was the Savior of the living, and not of the dead.

You need to come out of the nonsense that one lays in the grave after their death. Traditional thought has been allowed to sink into the minds of many Christians.)

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, "Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."

33-44. RESURRECTION. PERFORMANCE.

33,34-. The Lord. Groaning.
-34. The Jews. Answer.
35. The Lord. Weeping.
36. The Jews. Remark.
37. What some said.
38-. The Lord.
-38. The grave described.
39-. The Lord. Command.
-39. The dead described.
40. What the Lord said.
41-. Lazarus. Dead.
-41,42. The Lord. Request.
43,44-. Lazarus. Called.
-44. The Lord. Command.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.

(Groaned = Gr. embrimaosmai, to snort as a horse, from anger; hence, to show strong emotion. He was trying to document death has no power and they weren't getting the point.)

34 And said, "Where have ye laid him?" They said unto Him, "Lord, come and see."

35 Jesus wept.

(Tears of joy and anger. He's about to bring back the order of Melchizedek back into being. This is the shortest verse in the Bible for you trivia buffs.)

36 Then said the Jews, "Behold how He loved him!"

37 And some of them said, "Could not this man, Which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?"

(These Jews are now starting to put it all together, for they had seen the blind man come to full sight, and now here it is four days later, and they are starting to blame Christ, rather then be prepared for what was about to happen. The Jews and those tied to tradition will miss the whole lesson.)

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in Himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

(This made Jesus all the more angry, as He heard the nonsense of tradition being uttered. Many teach that Jesus was sad over the death of His friend, and this is missing the entire point. Remember He delayed in coming, because the three days of the tradition had to be exceeded, and He knew exactly what would take place, and that Lazarus would be raised from the dead, and God would be glorified. That is something to be joyful over. Yet seen the spiritual condition of those calling themselves His followers, and the depth in tradition that they had fallen, that is what brought the tears and anger.)

39 Jesus said, "Take ye away the stone." Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto Him, "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days."

(The Rabbis taught that the spirit wandered about for 3 days, seeking re-admission to the body, but abandoned it on the 4th day, as corruption began then.)

40 Jesus saith unto her, "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"

(I.e. the manifestation of the same glory which Christ was raised. Cp. Rom. 6:4. Eternal life.)

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.

(15 times used this term in praying. Next to Chapter 17, this is the longest prayer recorded of our Lord.)

42 And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me."

(If you have seen the Son, you have seen the Father. He didn't have to say communicate, but they needed something to see the truth.)

43 And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth."

44 And he that was dead came forth,

(By divine intervention.)

bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin.

(A sweat-cloth, to hold the mouth closed.)

Jesus saith unto them, "Loose him, and let him go."

(Lazarus was bound like a mummy and in the style that the dead were wrapped, they simply cannot walk. Jesus called and not only did the Lazarus come to life and come forth, but the Spirit of God brought him forth, for Lazarus could not have walked. He did not see where he was going because his face was covered and bound with a napkin.

The real priesthood was loosed, and freed, for all those that have the eyes to see and ears to hear the word of God. This is not a parable, or any story, it is a fact to point out to us that in Christ there is no death, there is no sting of the grave, but victory that will never end. It is eternal life that doesn't look for any rapture, or soul sleep of the dead.)

45 Then many of the Jews

(Mixed - our brother Judah, along with Kenites.)

which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did,

(Referring to these 2 special miracles; for how could Lazarus, when restored to life, come forth, bound, as he was, hand and foot, and his eyes covered, except by a further exercise of Divine power? Thus there was a great increase of disciples, which alarmed the rulers.)

believed on Him.

Mary of Bethany anoint Jesus

BETHANY.

1,2. The Lord and Lazarus.
3. The Anointing. Act.
4-6. Objection. Made.
7. The Anointing. Purpose.
8. Objection. Refuted.

John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover

(On the 9th day of Nisan, i.e. our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.)

came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

2 There they made Him a supper;

(The 1st of 3 suppers. It was on Saturday evening, at the close of the Sabbath, on the 10th day of Nisan.)

and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him.

(He partook of real food.)

THE TWO ANOINTINGS.

  There can be no doubt that, during the last week, the Lord was anointed on two separate occasions.

    1. The former is recorded in John 12:3-8, "six days before the Passover", in the house of Lazarus, at Bethany.

  The latter is recorded in Matt. 26:7-13, and Mark 14:3-9, "two days before the Passover", in the house of Simon the leper, also in Bethany.

  Thus the times and places distinct.

    2. In the former case it was "a pound of ointment" that was used (John 12:3).
  In the latter case it was an alabaster vessel (Matt. 26:7).
    3. In the former case it was "the feet" of the Lord that were anointed (John 21:3).
  In the latter case it was His "head" (Matt. 26:7)
    4. In the former case the term used is "anointed" (John 12:3)
.   In the latter case the term is "poured" (Matt. 26:7. Mark 14:3)
    5. In the former case it was Judas who asked the question why it was not sold, &c., as there was plenty of time to do so during the six days (John 12:4).
  In the latter it was the disciples who "had indignation" (Matt. 26:8) "among themselves" (Mark 14:4); and their words (not necessarily spoken aloud to all) seem to refer to what Judas had said before.
    6. In the former the Lord directs the ointment to be reserved for His burial; and not sold (John 12:4).
  In the latter He declared that it had been kept for that purpose (Matt. 26:12. Mark 14:8)
    7. In the former case the Lord said, "Let her alone," in order that she may keep it (John 12:7).
  In the latter He declared that she had well used it (Matt. 26:10-13).
    8. In the former case the woman is named "Mary" (John 21:3).
  In the latter case the woman is unnamed.
    9. Thus on each occasion both the antecedents and consequence are different.

Instead of wondering that there should be two anointings the wonder should be that there were only two, seeing that examples are so easily followed.

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment

(Aromatic balsam.)

of spikenard,

(= pure nard. Liquid, because it was poured.)

very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus,

(3 anointings recorded in the Gospels. The 1st, probably in Capernaum in the house of Simon the Pharisee [Luke 7:36-50]: a woman anointed His feet. The one here was the 2nd, and again His feet were anointed. At the 3rd, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman anointed His head.)

and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

(Priesthood anointed.)

4 Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot,

(= man of the cities. Was Judas a Kenite?)

Simon's son, which should betray Him,

(Judas was the disciple that would betray Jesus, and for this he was guilty. However Judas repented after the fact of his deed, and with repentance comes salvation. Judas was not the "son of perdition", [for the son of perdition was Satan], because Judas has not been judged yet, nor will he be judged until the great white throne judgment.

In Acts 1:18 many people think that Judas hanged himself. However that is not quite what it states in the verse. "Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." Judas didn't die from the choking from the rope around his neck. The Kenites hung him from the tree, but before they hung him, they slit his stomach open from one end to the other, and all his organs [bowels] came gushing forth out on the ground. Judas was dead before he was hung. This is like shooting yourself in the back of the head nine times; you got the point; somebody else did the shooting, and the hanging. Remember, these religious leaders were the offspring of the Kenite Nethinims and they controlled the records keeping, as well as the teachings that came out of the temple.

Jesus told us of these Kenite religious leaders in John 8:44; "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father ye will do. [this is Satan] He was a murderer from the beginning [Cain], and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." These religious leaders killed Judas to close his mouth. We will see later in this chapter that they will also plot to kill Lazarus, for Lazarus merely being alive attacks their traditions, and erodes their power over the people.)

5 "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence,

(A little over 8 1/2 dollars at today's standard.

and given to the poor?"

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

(The word "bare" in the Greek text means "to carry away secretly". We call it stealing in English. This means that Judas took "some cream of the top" of what was in the bag. Why then would Judas ever join the band of followers of Jesus? He felt in the beginning that Jesus was going to be the King, and he wanted control of the bag, or money. You know the expression; "He who controls the money, controls the power".

The point came when he realized Jesus was not going to be king, but Jesus was going to be crucified, and in the small act of betrayal, Judas saw a profit. That was the nature of the Kenite. Is there any doubt that Judas believed that Christ was the Messiah and would rule the world? Why? Because Judas saw the power that Jesus' had for establishing that kingdom. He just didn't know that it would be established two thousand years later in the Millennium kingdom.)

7 Then said Jesus, "Let her alone: against the day of My burying hath she kept this.

(In the next six days, there will be no one to take the time to anoint Jesus for burial.)

8 For the poor always ye have with you;

(I.e. not the outside poor, but the Lord's poor.)

but Me ye have not always."

(The greatest gift the poor, or anyone, could receive was the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It is a gift that never runs out. Though Mary was anointing Jesus as a very special guest in her home, she was also anointing Jesus for his burial. Soon Jesus would be all alone on the cross, and on Him would be placed the sins of the whole world, and that includes each sin committed by you and I as we live our lives each day.)