Conforming (phase 2), Jesus raises Lazarus and gets anointed at the supper in Bethany - AtaDc (step20), session 3

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Laz'arus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Laz'arus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. 

Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." 

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Laz'arus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Laz'arus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. - Jn 12:1-11

It's interesting to read the different accounts of Jesus' anointing(s) in each of the gospel. St. John is the only one to place this one in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, rather than someone named Simon, and the only one to name Mary as the one who anoints Jesus. He does so even before telling the story of the anointing. (St. Luke is the only one not to place the anointing in Bethany, and mentions Simon the Pharisee, vs. Simon the leper in the other two synoptics. All but Luke also agree on Judas' irritation.

But all agree that the woman had a deep devotion and love for Jesus, that she was willing to express in extravagance of both expense and action.

It has been too long since I read through St. John's gospel; I had forgotten that the chief priests plotted against Lazarus, too. When Jesus submitted so humbly, was part of his motivation a desire to protect his dear friend whom the Father had so recently raised from the dead in answer to his request?

This reminds me of our understanding of prayer: to the Father through Jesus.