Mark 14:1-11
A Jar Worth a Year of Wages
Read the passage
1Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.
2“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
3While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.
4Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?
5It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.
6But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.
8She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
9And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
11They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The leaders are looking for a covert way to arrest and kill Jesus. At a meal in Bethany, a woman approaches Him with expensive perfume. She breaks open its alabaster jar and pours the perfume on His head.
Some present call it waste. They value it at more than three hundred denarii and say the money could have gone to the poor. Their criticism becomes a scolding, but Jesus intervenes.
Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
He gives the act a meaning they have missed: she has anointed His body in advance of His burial. He knows that His death is near. This is an opportunity to honor Him that will not remain available in the same way.
His words about the poor do not cancel generosity toward them. Deuteronomy 15:11 says that poverty will continue and therefore commands God's people to open their hands to those in need. Jesus likewise says they can help the poor whenever they want. Caring for them remains a duty; it is not a reason to condemn this particular gift.
He promises that the woman's deed will be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. Then Mark records Judas going to the chief priests, who promise him money for betraying Jesus. The contrast is painful: a costly act of honor stands beside a transaction of betrayal.
The value of her deed rests on Jesus' judgment of it. He sees its fitting place in the approach to His death, and He protects her from the people who have called it worthless.
How We Know
The estimated value exceeds three hundred denarii. In Matthew 20:2, a denarius is the agreed pay for a vineyard worker's day. That comparison helps us understand the scale of the gift; it is not a fixed wage for every worker or independent proof of who witnessed the meal.
Questions
1 What does the woman do, and how do some people respond?
AnswerShe pours expensive perfume on Jesus' head after breaking open its jar. Some call it waste and scold her because they think the money should have gone to the poor.
2 What meaning does Jesus give her action?
AnswerHe says she has anointed His body in advance of His burial. His approaching death makes this a particular opportunity to honor Him.
3 Does Jesus give permission to neglect poor people?
AnswerNo. He says they can help them whenever they want. Deuteronomy's related words about continuing poverty lead to a command for generous care, not indifference.
4 How does Judas' action contrast with the woman's?
AnswerShe gives something costly to honor Jesus. Judas seeks an opportunity to betray Him after the priests promise money. Their actions reveal very different responses to Him.
What This Means for Us
Before criticizing another person's costly service, take time to understand what they are doing and why. Our first calculation may miss something that matters. Jesus defended this woman when the others spoke harshly.
Her example also invites willing generosity. Consider a fitting way to honor Christ with the resources or opportunities you have. That may include helping someone in need. We can give thoughtfully and gladly without treating every expense as holy or every careful decision as a failure of faith.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for receiving the woman's gift and defending her from harsh words. Give us willing generosity and wisdom about how to serve You. Keep care for the poor close to our hearts. Amen.