“It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.
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.
- BSB It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded 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.
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 20:11When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,
- John 13:29For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
- 1 Cor 10:10Don’t grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.
- Exod 16:7–8and in the morning, then you shall see Yahweh’s glory; because he hears your murmurings against Yahweh. Who are we, that you murmur against us?”
- Jude 1:16These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.
- Phil 2:14Do all things without murmurings and disputes,
- Deut 1:27You murmured in your tents, and said, “Because Yahweh hated us, he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
- Matt 18:28“But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
- John 12:5–6“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?”
- Eph 4:28Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
- John 6:7Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that everyone of them may receive a little.”
- Ps 106:25but murmured in their tents, and didn’t listen to Yahweh’s voice.
- John 6:43Therefore Jesus answered them, “Don’t murmur among yourselves.
- Luke 15:2The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “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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