It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.
Parallel translations
- WEB For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” They grumbled against her.
- KJV For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
- NKJV For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.
- NASB For this perfume could have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her.
- NLT “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.
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
They complain the perfume could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and given to the poor, and they scold her. Their criticism cloaks a failure to honor Christ.
Overview
Three hundred denarii was nearly a year's wages, so the objection sounds reasonable and even pious. Yet John notes self-interest behind such talk (John 12:6). Care for the poor is good, but it must not become a pretext for despising worship of Jesus. Their harsh grumbling against the woman reveals hearts that valued neither her nor her Lord rightly.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Matt 20:11On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner.
- John 13:29Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.
- 1 Cor 10:10And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.
- Exod 16:7–8and in the morning you will see the LORD’s glory, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. For who are we that you should grumble against us?”
- Jude 1:16These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.
- Phil 2:14Do everything without complaining or arguing,
- Deut 1:27You grumbled in your tents and said, “Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be annihilated.
- Matt 18:28But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’
- John 12:5–6“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”
- Eph 4:28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
- John 6:7Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”
- Ps 106:25They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD.
- John 6:43“Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus replied.
- Luke 15:2So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
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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 14:5 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
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