Mark 14:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 14:1-11

We have here instances, I. Of the kindness of Christ's friends, and the provision made of respect and honour for him. Some friends he had, even in and about Jerusalem, that loved him, and never thought they could do enough for him, among whom, though Israel be not gathered, he is, and will be, glorious. 1. Here was one friend, that was so kind as to invite him to sup with him; and he was so kind as to accept the invitation, Mark 14:3. Though he had a prospect of his death approaching, yet he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 14:3-9

14:3-9 While Jesus was in Bethany, while he was reclining at a table in the house of Simon the leper, there came a woman who had a phial of ointment of pure nard. She broke the phial and poured it over his head. Some of them said indignantly to each other, "To what purpose is the waste of this ointment? This ointment could have been sold for more than ten pounds, and the money could have been given to the poor." And they were angry at her. Jesus said, "Let her be! Why do you trouble her? It... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 14:4

And there were some that had indignation within themselves ,.... The Syriac version reads, "some of the disciples": agreeably to Matthew 26:8 , particularly Judas, and others might be incensed by his means: and said, why was this waste of the ointment made ? See Gill on Matthew 26:8 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:1-9

The alabaster cruse. A scene of great interest and beauty is described in these words and in the supplement supplied by St. Matthew and St. John. On the last sabbath eve before his crucifixion, Jesus came to Bethany. In the house of Simon the leper a feast was made in his honor. The disciples were there, and, of necessity, Martha and her sister Mary, and Lazarus. What a representative group! Simon, the type of suffering, healed, and restored human nature. Lazarus, a living testimony to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:1-50

Parallel passages: Matthew 26:1-16 , Matthew 26:21-25 , Matthew 26:47-56 ; Luke 22:10-16 , Luke 22:21-23 , Luke 22:47-53 ; John 18:2-12 ; John 8:21-35 — The betrayal by Judas. I. INTRODUCTION TO JUDAS . The individuality of Judas comes prominently before us in this chapter. We make his acquaintance in the house of Simon the leper in Bethany. We are introduced to him in connection with the alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; for though not mentioned... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:3-9

Tribute of grateful love. A singular interest attaches to this simple incident in Christ's private life. Proud and foolish men have tried to turn it into ridicule, as unworthy of the memory of a great prophet. But they have not succeeded. Our Lord's own estimate of Mary's conduct is accepted, and the world-wide and lasting renown promised by Jesus has been secured. The record of the graceful act of the friend of Jesus is instructive, touching, and beautiful. And the commendation which the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:3-9

The precious spikenard; or, the impulse of the absolute. The house of Simon the leper was a familiar resort to Jesus. It is Mary the sister of Lazarus who now approaches him as he reclines at meat. Let us look at— I. HER ACT OF DEVOTION . The nard or spikenard was an unguent of the East. It was "genuine" and costly. Probably it had been kept against that day. She now entered, probably at first unperceived, and, breaking the neck of the alabaster cruse, poured the precious nard... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:3-9

Anointing for martyrdom. I. PURE LOVE RISES ABOVE THE CONSIDERATIONS OF THRIFT . Logic must give place to love. The full heart disdains the question of money expense. Habitual extravagance is one thing, the redundancy grateful affection is another. We are never safe, in conduct or in thought, except when we follow the heart's lead. II. SYMPATHY PRESERVES THE JUDGMENT FROM ERROR , The disciples did not understand the woman's act. Christ lifted it into the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:4

But there were some that had indignation —the word in the original is ἀγανακτοῦντες , ached with vexation— among themselves. St. Mark says, "there were some;" avoiding any more particular mention of them. St. Matthew ( Matthew 26:8 ) says that the disciples generally had indignation. The murmuring seems to have been general. At length it found a definite expression in Judas Iscariot (see John 12:4 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:4-5

The spirit that betrays. I. SELFISHNESS . An exaggeration of the natural principle of self-love. Judas, as chief representative of this spirit, shows the virtues of his great vice, and naturally enough becomes keeper of the bag, containing the earthward dependence of the band. He looks at everything from this point of view. Already his thrift or prudence has degenerated into avarice, the more quickly owing to the grace which he resisted. The money value of the offering is at once... read more

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