Mark Chapter 14 · Verse 3
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
as he
G846
αὐτοῦ
as he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίᾳ
the house
G3614
οἰκίᾳ
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
8 of 30
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατακειμένου
sat at meat
G2621
κατακειμένου
sat at meat
Strong's:
G2621
Word #:
12 of 30
to lie down, i.e., (by implication) be sick; specially, to recline at a meal
αὐτοῦ
as he
G846
αὐτοῦ
as he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἦλθεν
there came
G2064
ἦλθεν
there came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
14 of 30
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἔχουσα
having
G2192
ἔχουσα
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
16 of 30
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἀλάβαστρον
an alabaster box
G211
ἀλάβαστρον
an alabaster box
Strong's:
G211
Word #:
17 of 30
properly, an "alabaster" box, i.e., (by extension) a perfume vase (of any material)
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συντρίψασα
she brake
G4937
συντρίψασα
she brake
Strong's:
G4937
Word #:
23 of 30
to crush completely, i.e., to shatter (literally or figuratively)
τό
G3588
τό
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀλάβαστρον
an alabaster box
G211
ἀλάβαστρον
an alabaster box
Strong's:
G211
Word #:
25 of 30
properly, an "alabaster" box, i.e., (by extension) a perfume vase (of any material)
αὐτοῦ
as he
G846
αὐτοῦ
as he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
27 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
κατὰ
it on
G2596
κατὰ
it on
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
28 of 30
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Historical Context
This anointing occurred during Passion Week (likely Tuesday evening, two days before Passover) in the village of Bethany, about two miles east of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. Mark places this account between the Jewish leaders' plot to kill Jesus and Judas's agreement to betray Him—the contrast between Mary's worship and Judas's treachery is deliberate. Anointing a guest's feet was customary hospitality; anointing the head was reserved for kings and priests (1 Samuel 10:1, Psalm 23:5).
Questions for Reflection
- What does Mary's breaking of the alabaster box teach about wholehearted, irrevocable devotion to Christ?
- How does this account challenge the way you calculate "waste" versus "worship" in your service to Jesus?
Analysis & Commentary
And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper—The location is significant: Bethany (בֵּית־אַנְיָה, "house of affliction") was Jesus's retreat during Passion Week, home to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Simon the leper (Σίμων ὁ λεπρός) was likely healed by Jesus—he would not be hosting a meal otherwise—demonstrating Christ's power over ritual uncleanness.
An alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious (ἀλάβαστρον μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτελοῦς)—John's parallel account identifies this woman as Mary of Bethany. Nardos pistikē ("pure nard") was imported from the Himalayas, worth 300 denarii—nearly a year's wages. She brake the box—She didn't just open it but shattered the flask, making the gift irrevocable and total. This extravagant act was prophetic anointing for burial (v. 8), foreshadowing the spices the women would bring to the tomb. While Judas criticized the "waste" (John 12:4-5), Jesus praised her understanding: He would soon be gone, and no sacrifice for Him is wasted.