She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
Parallel translations
- WEB She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
- BSB She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
- NKJV She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.
- NASB She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.
- NLT She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.
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
Jesus says she has done what she could, anointing his body beforehand for burial. Her act unwittingly prepares him for the cross.
Overview
Jesus interprets her anointing as preparation for his coming death and burial, giving it profound significance she may not have fully grasped. She gave wholeheartedly what was hers to give, and Jesus honors such sincere devotion. The scene quietly points to the crucifixion now only days away, where the anointed King would lay down his life.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Cor 8:12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
- John 12:7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
- Mark 15:42And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
- 2 Cor 8:1–3Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
- 2 Chr 31:20–21And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
- Luke 23:53And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
- 1 Chr 29:1–17Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
- 2 Chr 34:19–33And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
- 1 Chr 28:2–3Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
- John 19:32–42Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
- Ps 110:3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
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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 14:8 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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