Mark 14:4 - Barnes' Notes

Mark 14:4

2 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

3 ^aAnd being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly¹ oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head.

4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred ^adenarii and given to the poor.” And they ^bcriticized her sharply.

6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< Mark 14:3

Mark 14:5 >>

Mark 14:1-11

See this passage explained in the notes at Mat. 26:1-16.

Mark 14:1

And of unleavened bread - So called because at that feast no other bread was used but that which had been made without leaven or yeast.

By craft - By subtlety (Matthew); that is, by some secret plan that would secure possession of him without exciting the opposition of the people.

Mark 14:3

Ointment - This word does not convey quite the proper meaning. This was a perfume. It was used only to give a pleasant odor, and was liquid.

Of spikenard - The "nard," from which this perfume was made, is a plant of the East Indies, with a small, slender stalk, and a heavy, thick root. The best perfume is obtained from the root, though the stalk and fruit are used for that purpose.

And she brake the box - This may mean no more than that she broke the "seal" of the box, so that it could be poured out. Boxes of perfumes are often sealed or made fast with wax, to prevent the perfume from escaping. It was not likely that she would break the box itself when it was unnecessary, and when the unguent, being liquid, would have been wasted; nor from a broken box or vial could she easily have "poured it" on his head.

Mark 14:5

Three hundred pence - About forty dollars (or 9 British pounds). See the notes at Matthew 26:7.

Mark 14:8

She hath done what she could - She has showed the highest attachment in her power; and it was, as it is now, a sufficient argument against there being any "real" waste, that it was done for the honor of Christ. See this passage explained in the notes at Mat. 26:1-16.

<< Mark 14:3

Mark 14:5 >>

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