John 12:7

Against the day. Textual evidence here favors the reading (cf. p. 146), “that against the day of my burial she may keep it,” or “let her keep it for the day of my burial” (RSV). However, the precise meaning of the Greek clause thus translated is uncertain. It appears unlikely that Jesus refers to a preservation of a part of the contents to be used at the time of His burial. He alludes rather to the motive that prompted the purchase of the ointment (see Matt. 26:12; Mark 14:8). For a discussion of Mary’s motive in the anointing see on Matt. 26:12; cf. DA 559, 560.