Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 14:1-11
See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 26:1-16.Mark 14:1And 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 14:3Ointment - 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... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:5
For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred pence, and given to the poor. Three hundred pence would amount to about £10 12s. 6d. of English money. It appears from St. John ( John 13:29 ) that the wants of the poor were carefully attended to by our Lord and his disciples. And they murmured against her ἐνεβριμῶντο ); another very expressive verb in the original, they growled at her; rebuked her vehemently. read more