Several modern translations, including Good News Translation, assume that this verse is a parenthetical explanation, and so enclose it in parentheses. (New English Bible, New American Bible, Moffatt, Phillips). In this verse John makes reference to an episode which will be described in 12.1-8. The fact that he refers to an event not yet recorded in his Gospel may indicate that John believes his readers are familiar with the story, perhaps from some other Gospel.

In some languages one cannot say This Mary; however, it may be possible to say “Mary just referred to” or “Mary the sister of Lazarus.” In other languages it may be better to start verse 2 “Mary was the one who poured the perfume on the Lord’s feet.”

The word translated perfume may also mean “ointment.” The Greek word used here (muron) refers to a perfume or ointment, which was used as incense and in cosmetics, medicine, and preparation for burial. In the present passage the word probably is used in a more generic sense, and may mean either perfume or “ointment.” The verb of which this noun is the object is literally “anointed” (most translations), but since this term is difficult for modern readers, both Good News Translation and Phillips translate it poured. In almost all languages there are expressions for perfume. In some instances a descriptive expression is used, for example, “that which smells nice.” In others, however, perfume is included in the general category of medicines, for example, “a sweet-smelling medicine.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .