Which woman anointed Jesus with expensive perfume in John's gospel?

Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive perfume in John’s Gospel. John 12 identifies her as the sister of Martha and Lazarus and says she poured costly perfume on Jesus’ feet before wiping them with her hair.

The meal took place in Bethany six days before Passover, shortly before Jesus’ death. John describes the perfume as pure nard, a luxury import, and says its fragrance filled the house. Judas Iscariot objected that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor; the Gospel explains his objection by portraying him as a thief.

Jesus defended Mary’s action and connected it with preparation for his burial. Her gesture therefore functions both as an act of devotion and as a sign pointing toward the approaching Passion.

Readers often combine several Gospel stories. Matthew and Mark also describe an anointing at Bethany, but the woman is unnamed and the perfume is poured on Jesus’ head. Luke describes a different unnamed sinful woman. Mary of Bethany should not automatically be identified with Mary Magdalene.