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Matthew Henry

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 14:6

And Jesus said, let her alone ,.... Jesus knowing the secret indignation of some of his disciples, and their private murmurings at the woman, and their continual teasings of her, because of the expense of the ointment, said to them, as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions read; or "to the disciples", as the Persic, let the woman alone, cease to chide and reprove her for what she has done; why trouble ye her ? why do you grieve her, by charging her with imprudence and extravagance, as if she... 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 14:6

It appears from St. John ( John 12:7 ) that our Lord here addressed himself pointedly to Judas in the words, Let her alone;… she hath wrought a good work on me, a work worthy of all praise and honor. "What," says Cornelius a Lapide, "what more noble, than to anoint the feet of him who is both God and man? Who would not count himself happy, if it were permitted to him to touch the feet of Jesus and to kiss them?" read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 14:6

"She hath wrought a good work on me." Describe the feast in the house of Simon the leper, and distinguish the incident from that which is recorded in Luke 7:1-50 . Indicate Mary's reasons for loving the Lord, with all her heart and soul and strength, and show that this act of exquisite self-abandonment was the natural expression of her love. Learn from the subject the following lessons:— I. THAT AN ACT WHICH IS PLEASING TO OUR LORD MAY BE MISCONSTRUED AND ... read more

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