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Mark 14

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.

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

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.

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

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

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

And they all forsook him, and fled.

And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

But neither so did their witness agree together.

And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

What does Mark 14:8 mean?

Explanation

Mark 14:8 refers to an incident where a woman, identified in John's gospel as Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, anoints Jesus with very expensive ointment, likely pure nard.

This anointing takes place in the context of a dinner held in Jesus' honor, and it becomes a subject of contention among the disciples.

The particular verse acknowledges the woman's actions as significant and meaningful; Jesus defends her gesture by saying she did what she could.

He also adds that her action was in preparation for his burial, suggesting that her act holds prophetic significance as it precedes his death and entombment.

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Historical Context

The event occurred in the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany, just a few days before the Passover and Jesus' crucifixion.

Anointing was a common act in the ancient Near East, often performed as a sign of honor or for royal purposes.

It could also indicate preparation for burial.

This incident is notable as it serves as a contrast to the growing hostility Jesus was facing from certain Jewish leaders and reflects the intimacy and devotion some of his followers had for him.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this event symbolizes Jesus being prepared for his imminent death and burial.

Some interpret it as a christological affirmation of Jesus' identity as the Messiah, anointed one, as kings and priests in the Old Testament were anointed for service.

It is also seen as an example of pure, sacrificial worship and giving.

In addition, this event displays Jesus' acceptance of his role as a suffering servant who will offer himself for the redemption of humanity.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages individuals to do what they can with the resources they have to honor and serve God without comparing their contributions to others.

It also invites reflection on the importance of preparing for significant events, including death, and making conscious, meaningful actions in anticipation of what is to come.

The defense of the woman by Jesus can inspire believers to prioritize internal devotion over external approval.

Cross-References

John 12:3-8: Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair…
Matthew 26:12: For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Luke 7:37-38: And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house…

Language Study

The original Greek for the phrase "She hath done what she could" is "ἐποίησεν ἣ ἔσχεν” (epoiēsen hē eschen), which literally means "she has done what she had [the ability to do]." The verb "ἀλείφω" (aleiphō) used for "anoint" implies an affectionate, caring gesture, rather than a perfunctory action.

The word "σῶμα" (sōma) means "body," denoting Jesus' physical form which would be crucified and buried.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Anointing in various religious traditions often holds a ritual or symbolic importance.

For instance, in Ancient Egypt, the embalming process included anointing a body with oils and perfumes.

In Judaism, kings and priests were anointed as a sign of God's favor and appointment.

Mary's act mirrors such cultural practices but is laden with personal devotion and prophetic undertones.

Scientific Perspectives

While there is no direct scientific analysis applicable to this verse, the practice of anointing with spices and oils was historically believed to have preservative and aromatic benefits, which are consistent with modern understandings of the antibacterial and anti-decomposition properties of certain spices and essential oils.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer various insights on Mark 14:8.

Some point to its illustration of extravagant love and devotion toward Jesus. Others debate the juxtaposition of this act of anointing with the betrayal by Judas that follows in the narrative.

Theologians like Matthew Henry have commented on the purity of her intentions and the value of doing good actions without delay.

Many agree that the woman's actions are set as an example of service and worship that go beyond conventional expectations.

Mark 14

Mark 14

What does Mark 14:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 14:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?