But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted?
Parallel translations
- KJV And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
- BSB Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?
- NKJV But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?
- NASB But there were some indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?
- NLT Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Some present are indignant, calling the costly perfume wasted. They judge her devotion by mere utility.
Overview
To onlookers the lavish gift seemed pointless extravagance. Their reaction exposes a heart that fails to grasp the worth of Christ and the fittingness of generous worship. What love offers to Jesus is never truly wasted, yet a calculating, grudging spirit cannot see it. The contrast between her devotion and their indignation frames Jesus' coming defense of her.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- John 12:4–5Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,
- Matt 26:8–9But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?
- Eccl 4:4Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
- Eccl 5:4–8When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.
- Mal 1:12–13“But you profane it, in that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 14:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.