She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
Parallel translations
- KJV She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to 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 the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don’t have.
- John 12:7But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.
- Mark 15:42When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
- 2 Cor 8:1–3Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;
- 2 Chr 31:20–21Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh his God.
- Luke 23:53He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.
- 1 Chr 29:1–17David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great; for the palace is not for man, but for Yahweh God.
- 2 Chr 34:19–33When the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.
- 1 Chr 28:2–3Then David the king stood up on his feet, and said, “Hear me, my brothers, and my people! As for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and for the footstool of our God; and I had prepared for the building.
- John 19:32–42Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him;
- Ps 110:3Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your 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
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.