Mark 14:5

Mark 14:5, in plain English

They even calculated the value: 'This could have been sold for a year's wages and given to the poor!' And they scolded her for it.

Why it's here

Their math was right but their hearts were wrong. Generosity toward Jesus is never wasted — and scolding someone for loving Him too much misses the point entirely.

Who's speaking

The critics press their case against the woman's generosity.

Where it sits in the story

A year's wages, poured out in one moment. From a distance, it looks foolish. Up close, it looks like the most profound act of worship in the room.

The scholarly reading

The perfume is valued at 'over 300 denarii' — roughly a year's wages for a laborer — making this one of the most costly acts of personal devotion recorded in the Gospels.

Language and setting

The suggestion to sell it for the poor, while seemingly noble, becomes a pretext for criticizing an act that Jesus will explicitly endorse as appropriate and prophetic.

Voice

The critics continue their objection, quantifying the waste.

Significance

The financial calculation — a year's wages — emphasizes the magnitude of the woman's sacrifice while the critics' scolding (Greek: enebrimonto, 'harsh rebuke') reveals their hostility.

3While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.

4Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?

5It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

6But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.

7The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.

Read all of Mark 14 — A woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume while Judas negotiates his price. The Last Supper, Gethsemane, and Peter's denial unfold in rapid succession.