King James Version

What Does Mark 14:3 Mean?

Mark 14:3 in the King James Version says “And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of o... — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. spikenard: or, pure nard, or, liquid nard

Mark 14:3 · KJV


Context

1

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

2

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

3

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. spikenard: or, pure nard, or, liquid nard

4

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper—The location is significant: Bethany (בֵּית־אַנְיָה, "house of affliction") was Jesus's retreat during Passion Week, home to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Simon the leper (Σίμων ὁ λεπρός) was likely healed by Jesus—he would not be hosting a meal otherwise—demonstrating Christ's power over ritual uncleanness.

An alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious (ἀλάβαστρον μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτελοῦς)—John's parallel account identifies this woman as Mary of Bethany. Nardos pistikē ("pure nard") was imported from the Himalayas, worth 300 denarii—nearly a year's wages. She brake the box—She didn't just open it but shattered the flask, making the gift irrevocable and total. This extravagant act was prophetic anointing for burial (v. 8), foreshadowing the spices the women would bring to the tomb. While Judas criticized the "waste" (John 12:4-5), Jesus praised her understanding: He would soon be gone, and no sacrifice for Him is wasted.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This anointing occurred during Passion Week (likely Tuesday evening, two days before Passover) in the village of Bethany, about two miles east of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. Mark places this account between the Jewish leaders' plot to kill Jesus and Judas's agreement to betray Him—the contrast between Mary's worship and Judas's treachery is deliberate. Anointing a guest's feet was customary hospitality; anointing the head was reserved for kings and priests (1 Samuel 10:1, Psalm 23:5).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Mary's breaking of the alabaster box teach about wholehearted, irrevocable devotion to Christ?
  2. How does this account challenge the way you calculate "waste" versus "worship" in your service to Jesus?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
Καὶ1 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὄντος2 of 30
G5607

being

αὐτοῦ3 of 30

as he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν4 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Βηθανίᾳ5 of 30

Bethany

G963

date-house; beth-any, a place in palestine

ἐν6 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ7 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἰκίᾳ8 of 30

the house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

Σίμωνος9 of 30

of Simon

G4613

simon (i.e., shimon), the name of nine israelites

τοῦ10 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λεπροῦ11 of 30

the leper

G3015

scaly, i.e., leprous (a leper)

κατακειμένου12 of 30

sat at meat

G2621

to lie down, i.e., (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal

αὐτοῦ13 of 30

as he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἦλθεν14 of 30

there came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

γυνὴ15 of 30

a woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

ἔχουσα16 of 30

having

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἀλάβαστρον17 of 30

an alabaster box

G211

properly, an "alabaster" box, i.e., (by extension) a perfume vase (of any material)

μύρου18 of 30

of ointment

G3464

"myrrh", i.e., (by implication) perfumed oil

νάρδου19 of 30

of spikenard

G3487

"nard"

πιστικῆς20 of 30
G4101

trustworthy, i.e., genuine (unadulterated)

πολυτελοῦς21 of 30

very precious

G4185

extremely expensive

Καὶ22 of 30

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

συντρίψασα23 of 30

she brake

G4937

to crush completely, i.e., to shatter (literally or figuratively)

τό24 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀλάβαστρον25 of 30

an alabaster box

G211

properly, an "alabaster" box, i.e., (by extension) a perfume vase (of any material)

κατέχεεν26 of 30

and poured

G2708

to pour down (out)

αὐτοῦ27 of 30

as he

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

κατὰ28 of 30

it on

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τῆς29 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κεφαλῆς30 of 30

head

G2776

the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 14:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 14:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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