It was that Mary which anointed, &c.— Because the evangelist characterizes Mary, the sister of Lazarus, by her action of anointing the Lord's feet, Grotius imagines, that the three anointings mentioned in the gospels are one and the same: but the answer is obvious. John having mentioned one anointing only, ch. John 12:3, &c. she is sufficiently known by that character to all who have read his history: yet, if any one should say, that the evangelist does not mean to distinguish her from the other Marys, he would perhaps speak the truth, because to have called her the sister of Lazarus was sufficient for that purpose: her anointing is mentioned on this occasion, only to inform the reader how much and tenderly she loved the Lord, who doublyrepaid allthe kindnesses shewn to him, as in this very instance; notwithstanding he did not go into Judea immediately on receiving the sisters' message.
Related Commentaries of John 11:2
John 11:2
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)