Mark 14:8
She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus doesn't just say she did a good thing; He reveals the profound spiritual insight behind her act. He highlights that she "has done what she could" not to excuse a potential extravagance, but to emphasize that her love prompted her to fulfill a task that would soon be impossible—anointing His body before death. This action, though seemingly out of season to the disciples, was a divinely appointed precursor to His burial, an act of love anticipating His ultimate sacrifice.
Just days before Passover, Jesus is at a meal in Bethany when a woman breaks a costly jar of perfume and pours it over his head. His disciples are outraged by what they see as a wasteful act, but Jesus defends her, stating she has done what she could to prepare his body for burial. This intimate act of devotion takes place amidst the growing plot of religious leaders to arrest and kill Jesus, highlighting a stark contrast between worldly schemes and acts of love.
Why did Jesus defend the woman's lavish act when others saw only waste? Discover the unique value of her devotion.
The disciples were upset, seeing the expensive ointment as a waste that could have been sold and given to the poor. They were focused on the practical, economic value of the ointment. Jesus, however, recognized something far more profound. He declared, 'She has done what she could.' This wasn't about the monetary worth of the oil, but the immeasurable depth of her love and devotion.
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Jesus reinterprets the woman's act not just as love, but as a preparation for His death. How could she have known?
Jesus connects the woman's act directly to His impending burial. 'She has anointed my body beforehand for burial.' This statement is remarkable because it reveals Jesus' deep awareness of His own fate and elevates Mary's act to a prophetic significance.
Jesus declared this woman's act would be remembered forever. How does an act of quiet devotion achieve global fame?
Jesus makes a stunning promise: 'Wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in remembrance of her.' This elevates a single act of love into a global, eternal testimony.
Understand the original words
aleiphō · Greek Verb
The act of smearing oil on someone or something, often symbolizing setting apart for a special purpose, divine favor, or, as in this context, preparation for burial. In the OT, it is associated with consecration, such as for kings or priests.
This intimate act of devotion by Mary, though seemingly out of place to some, was divinely orchestrated to foreshadow Jesus's impending burial and death, occurring just days before the Passover, even as the religious authorities were plotting His demise.
c. AD 30, six days before Passover
Jesus's Visit to Bethany
Jesus visits his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany. Lazarus, recently raised from the dead, is at the dinner table.
c. AD 30, five days before Passover— this verse
Mary Anoints Jesus
Mary anoints Jesus's head with very expensive perfume, an act Jesus interprets as preparing his body for burial.
c. AD 30, five days before Passover
Judas's Objection and Jesus's Defense
Judas Iscariot objects to the 'waste' of the perfume, but Jesus defends Mary's action as a preparation for his burial and prophesies its remembrance.
c. AD 30, two days before Passover
Chief Priests and Scribes Plot
The religious leaders meet to plot Jesus's arrest and execution, deciding to wait until after the Passover festival to avoid public unrest.
c. AD 30, two days before Passover
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal and Death
Jesus tells his disciples that the Passover will be followed by his betrayal and crucifixion, directly contradicting the leaders' plan to wait.
This passage from John clarifies Mary's intention, stating she 'kept this for the day of my burial,' directly linking her action to Jesus' coming death and burial, just as Mark 14:8 highlights.
Matthew 26:12Matthew's Gospel records Jesus saying, 'she has anointed my body beforehand for burial,' echoing the precise theological meaning Mark emphasizes here about anticipating His death.
Song of Solomon 1:3The rich fragrance of the ointment and its preciousness find a parallel in the Song of Solomon, where the lover's name is compared to 'oil poured out,' symbolizing something of immense value and pleasant aroma, much like Mary's offering to Jesus.
1 Samuel 16:7Just as God looks at the heart and not outward appearances when choosing David, Jesus sees past the disciples' critique of waste to the woman's pure devotion, recognizing the true value of her act which stems from her inner disposition.
1 Corinthians 4:5Jesus' statement that her act will be told wherever the gospel is preached affirms the principle that God will bring to light and commend actions done out of genuine love and obedience, even if misunderstood by others.
calvinMark 14:1-9: "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."
- And it happened when Jesus had finished all these discourses, he said to his disciples, 2. You know that after two days is the passover; and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3. Then were assembled the chief priests, and scribes, and elders of the people, in the palace of the high priest, who was c…
pulpitMark 14:8: "She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying."
Verse 8. - She hath done what she could. She seized the opportunity, which might not occur again, of doing honor to her Lord by anointing him with her very best. Our Lord might have excused this action, and have praised it as a practical evidence of her gratitude, her humility, and her love for him. But instead of dwelling on these things, he said, She hath anointed my body aforehand for the buryi…
Jesus doesn't just say she did a good thing; He reveals the profound spiritual insight behind her act. He highlights that she "has done what she could" not to excuse a potential extravagance, but to emphasize that her love prompted her to fulfill a task that would soon be impossible—anointing His body before death. This action, though seemingly out of season to the disciples, was a divinely appointed precursor to His burial, an act of love anticipating His ultimate sacrifice.
Just days before Passover, Jesus is at a meal in Bethany when a woman breaks a costly jar of perfume and pours it over his head. His disciples are outraged by what they see as a wasteful act, but Jesus defends her, stating she has done what she could to prepare his body for burial. This intimate act of devotion takes place amidst the growing plot of religious leaders to arrest and kill Jesus, highlighting a stark contrast between worldly schemes and acts of love.
Just days before Passover, Jesus is at a meal in Bethany when a woman breaks a costly jar of perfume and pours it over his head. His disciples are outraged by what they see as a wasteful act, but Jesus defends her, stating she has done what she could to prepare his body for burial. This intimate act of devotion takes place amidst the growing plot of religious leaders to arrest and kill Jesus, highlighting a stark contrast between worldly schemes and acts of love.
"She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial." — Jesus doesn't just say she did a good thing; He reveals the profound spiritual insight behind her act. He highlights that she "has done what she could" not to excuse a potential extravagance, but to…
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