Mark 14:1-9

13. THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY 14:1-9

TEXT 14:1-9

Now after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him: for they said, Not during the feast, lest haply there shall be a tumult of the people. And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment of spikenard very costly; and she brake the cruse, and poured it over his head. But there were some that had indignation among themselves, saying, To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made? For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred pence, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her. But Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burying, And verily I say unto you, Wheresoever the gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 14:1-9

741.

If the feast of the Passover was held on Thursday (as traditionally represented) then this plot was made on Tuesday or Wednesdaydo you agree with this thought? Discuss.

742.

Why did they want to kill Him?

743.

When did the feast of unleavened bread begin? How long did it last?

744.

Please read John 12:2-8. When did this anointing take place? Isn-'t there a break in the chronology? Discuss.

745.

Read Luke 7:36-50please notice the differences in the two anointings.

746.

Read Matthew 26:6-13note the additions Matthew makes to Mark's account.

747.

Why refer to Simon as a leper; was he a leper at the time of the anointing?

748.

We know by reading John's account who the woman waswho was it?

749.

Was this a common meal? A celebration? What is meant by as he sat at meat?

750.

Why was the ointment in an alabaster container?

751.

What is pure nard?

752.

How could she pour it if she broke the container?

753.

Wasn-'t it messy to thus be covered with this ointment?

754.

Was the complaint of waste a justifiable one? Discuss.

755.

In what sense were they to let her alone?

756.

Jesus accepted the anointing in spite of criticismdoes this offer some encouragement to us?

757.

Jesus says something about good intentions vs. good works, in His words of Mark 14:7what is it?

758.

Why say she has done what she could?

759.

Did Mary intend a pre-burial anointing by her actions?

760.

How have the words of Jesus in Mark 14:9 been fulfilled?

COMMENT

TIMEMark has placed the account of the anointing out of its chronological order. The preceding incident was dated Tuesday, April 4, A.D. 30. This event, instead of following, occurred on Saturday, April 1st, three days before, the day before the Lord's entry into Jerusalem. It was during the Lord's stay at Bethany on his way to the Holy City. The consultation of the priests referred to in Mark 14:1-2, was on Tuesday evening, April 4, the same day as Jesus-' predictions.

PLACESThe consultation of the priests and scribes took place in Jerusalem, probably in the palace of Caiaphas. The anointing and feast were at Bethany, the home of Lazarus and his sisters, the beloved retreat of the Saviour two miles east of Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, on the highway that led to Jericho and the country east of the Jordan.

PARALLEL ACCOUNTSThe plotting against Jesus (Mark 14:1-2; Mark 14:10-11) is recorded also, Matthew 26:1-5; Matthew 26:14-16; Luke 22:1-6. The supper (Mark 14:3-9) in Matthew 26:6-13; John 12:2-8.

LESSON OUTLINE1. The Conspiracy of the Rulers, 2. The Lord Anointed. 3. The Lord's Commendation.

ANALYSIS

I.

THE CONSPIRACY OF THE RULERS, Mark 14:1-2.

1.

The Chief Priests Hold Counsel. Mark 14:1; Matthew 26:2; Luke 22:1; John 11:55.

2.

Fear of the People. Mark 14:2; Matthew 26:5; Luke 22:2.

II. THE LORD ANOINTED, Mark 14:3-5.

1.

The Ointment Poured on His Head. Mark 14:3; Matthew 26:6; John 12:1; John 12:3.

2.

The Indignation of Disciples, Mark 14:4; Matthew 26:8; John 12:4.

3.

The Charge of Waste, Mark 14:5; Matthew 26:9; John 12:5.

III. THE LORD'S COMMENDATION, Mark 14:6-9.

1.

A Good Work. Mark 14:6; Matthew 26:10.

2.

Have the Poor Always. Mark 14:7; Matthew 26:11; John 12:8.

3.

The Lord Anointed for Burial. Mark 14:8; Matthew 26:12.

4.

The Woman's Deed Praised in All the World. Mark 14:9; Matthew 26:13.

INTRODUCTION

We have before us here a simple-hearted, loving woman, who has had no subtle questions of criticism about matter of duty and right, but only loves her Lord's person with a love that is probably a kind of mystery to herself, which love she wants somehow to express, She comes, therefore, with her box of ointment, having sold we know not what article or portion of her property to buy it, for it was very costly, and pours it on the Saviour's headjust here to encounter, for the first time, scruples, questions, and rebuffs of argument.Bushnell. John says that this was six days before the Passover. From the order in which Matthew and Mark mention it, it would have been supposed that it Was but two days before the Passover, and after the cleansing of the temple. But it is to be observed, (1) That Matthew and Mark often neglect the exact order of the event that they record; (2) That they do not affirm at what time this was. They leave it indefinite, saying that while Jesus was in Bethany he was anointed by Mary; (3) That Mark introduced it here for the purpose of giving a connected account of the conduct of Judas. Judas murmured at the waste of the ointment (John 12:4), and one of the effects of his indignation, it seems, was to betray his Lord.Barnes.

I.

THE CONSPIRACY OF THE RULERS.

Mark 14:1. After two dap was the feast of the pas over. It was Tuesday evening with us, but after Wednesday began with the Jews a new day began at sunset. Two days after would bring Friday, the day the Passover was slain. This date locates the time of the meeting of the rulers, not of the feast at the house of Simon the leper. Of unleavened bread. The Passover meal was the beginning of the feast of unleavened bread, which lasted for seven days. The whole paschal week was termed the feast of unleavened bread; the Passover was, strictly speaking, the 15th of Nisan, the great day of the feast. The chief priests and the scribes (members of the Sanhedrim). The meeting of the chief priests and the scribes for consultation was at the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest (Matthew 26:3), (which tradition places on the Hill of Evil Counsel). From the fact that the council met at the palace of Caiaphas, and also that its session was in the evening, we may infer that it was an extraordinary meeting, held for secret consultation. This plotting was begun at least three months before, after the raising of Lazarus; and more recently the triumphal entry, the driving out the money-changers from the temple, the parables spoken against the Jewish leaders, seem to have enraged them, so that they felt that something must be done immediately to put a stop to his career. No doubt there was long debate. Some certainly opposed the putting him to death, as Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:51), and Nicodemus (John 7:50-51), who were members of the Sanhedrim. For an instance of the debate in a like meeting for the same purpose, see John 11:46-51.P. The first step in putting Christ to death was taken by the religious teachers of the Jewish nation. The very men who ought to have welcomed the Messiah were the men who conspired to kill him. By craft. With subtlety. That is, by some secret plan that would secure possession of him without exciting the opposition of the people.

Mark 14:2. Not on the feast dayAs it was a time when vast multitudes were present from all parts of the land, and the Jews of Galilee and Perea being more friendly to Jesus than those of the capital, might make a disturbance if he were publicly arrested. Josephus computes that three million persons attended the Passover which is not incredible, seeing that the nation was expected to assemble at this greatest of the festivals. The acclamations on the Sunday before, as the Lord entered Jerusalem, demonstrated the favor he enjoyed with the people.

II.

THE LORD ANOINTED.

This anointing is not to be confounded with the anointing mentioned in Luke 7:36-50. There is nothing in common between them, except the name of the householder, Simon; and this was a very common name in Palestine. The occasion, the time, the parties, and the spiritual significance are all different. The repetition of the incident is not at all strange. An act of this kind, which had been once commended by our Lord (as in Luke), was very likely to have been repeated.Abbott.

Mark 14:3. Being in Bethany. See Time. Jesus arrived in Bethany Friday; and the supper was Saturday evening, just after the close of the Jewish sabbath, and, as John expressly states (John 12:1), the evening before the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Bethan. A village about two miles east of Jerusalem (John 11:18), being on the other side of the Mount of Olives. It was the home of Mary and Martha, where Christ was wont to visit when in Jerusalem (Luke 10:38-41; Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11-12). It was the scene of the resurrection of Lazarus (John, chap. 11), and of Christ's own ascension (Luke 24:50). It is not mentioned in the Old Testament.Abbott, Simon the Leper. Perhaps he had been healed of his leprosy by Jesus. He dwelt in Bethany. It is natural to suppose that he had made Jesus a feast in gratitude. According to a tradition, he was the father of Lazarus; according to others, he was the husband of Martha, or Martha was his widow. Very likely he was in some way related to the family of Lazarus. Mary and Martha served (John 12:2). There came a woman. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 12:3), not the woman in Luke 7, who was a sinner. The latter person is generally, but without reason, identified with Mary Magdalene, and the three women confounded.Schaff. Having an alabaster box, or flask, Called an alabaster; as we say, a glass. These alabastra, or unguent flasks, were usually made of the Oriental or onyx alabaster, with long narrow necks, which let the oil escape drop by drop, and could easily be broken. Ointment of spikenard. The American portion of the Revision Committee would render this pure nard (with marginal reading, or liquid nard). Spikenard, from which the ointment was made, was an aromatic herb of the valerian family. It was imported from an early age from Arabia, India, and the Far East. The ointment of nard was highly esteemed, and was a costly luxury. Very precious. It was the costliest anointing oil of antiquity, and was sold throughout the Roman Empire, where it fetched a price that put it beyond any but the wealthy. Mary had bought a vase or flask of it containing twelve ounces (John 12:3).Cambridge Bible. The three hundred pence given as its selling value (Mark 14:5) would make it worth about $300 in our money. The value of the ointment only expressed the depth of her love. She brake the box; i.e., she broke the narrow neck of the small flask, and poured the perfume, first on the head and then on the feet of Jesus (John 12:3), the Oriental custom of reclining at table made the latter easier than the former. Poured it on his head. Anointing with oil was a primitive custom of consecration (Genesis 18:18). It was then used for the ritual of consecration of priests; occasionally, also, of prophets. The anointing of the head was also a distinction which was conferred upon the guest of honor (Luke 7:46)not only among the Jews, but generally in the East, and among the ancients. Mary may have intended only to show this honor; but this action symbolized Christ's Messiahship, and had a deeper significance, as our Lord points out in Mark 14:8.

Mark 14:4. Some that had indignation. Matthew (Matthew 26:8) states that the disciples had indignation; Mark reports that some had indignation; John (John 12:4), as knowing who had whispered the first word of blame, fixes the uncharitable judgment on Judas Iscariot, Simon's son. The narrow, covetous soul of the traitor could see nothing in the lavish gift but a waste. His indignation, partly real, partly affected, was perhaps honestly shared by some of his fellow-disciples. Why was this waste? Worldly men would of course agree with the idea of Judas, that money laid out in the cherishing or expression of mere devotional sentiment is waste. There is no waste in anything that helps the soul.

Mark 14:5. Might have been sold for more than three hundred pence. A penny here is the denarius, a Roman coin worth from fifteen to seventeen cents, or as the values of silver and gold were much greater then than now, about one dollar at the present time. The three hundred pence would make about forty-five dollars in silver, or at present, would amount to about $300. And have been given to the poor. The true friends of the poor, who give most and do most for them, will always be found among those who do most for Christ. It is the successors of Mary of Bethany, and not of Judas Iscariot, who really care for the poor.Ryle. Murmured against her. Scolded her.De Wette. Addressed her harshly.

III.

THE LORD'S COMMENDATION.

Mark 14:6. Jesus said, Let her alone. Let her alone, is the language of sharp rebuke. Christ was indignant at the hypocrisy which made a pretended consideration of the poor an excuse for attacking and condemning an act of love toward himself. The answer of Jesus indicates the woman's cordial, unstudied sacrifice. Why trouble ye her? This indicates that Mary was herself abashed and downcast by the criticism of the twelve. Perhaps, as Maurice says, She could not herself have answered Judas Iscariot's complaining question.Abbott. She hath wrought a good work on me. Christ measured the moral quality of the act by the motive, the disciples by its seeming utility.

Mark 14:7. Ye have the poor with you always. You will have plenty of opportunities to aid them; and the more they did for their Master, the more they would do for the poor, for the poor are left in his stead, and through them will be expressed the increased love of the Master.

Mark 14:8. She hath done what she could. This praise is more precious than the ointment, coming from such a one as Christ, It is like that which he passed upon the poor widow: She hath cast in all that she had. Blessed are they of whom the Master will say, They have done what they could, Come aforeband to anoint my body to the burying. She had anticipated the hour of my decease; anointing my body before death, and thus preparing it for burial. It is worthy of note that this was all the anointing which our Lord's body received from the hand of Mary or her female friends, inasmuch as he had risen before they reached the sepulchre with their spices.

Mark 14:9. Wheresoever this gospel. The tidings of salvation, with special ref erence to Christ's death, just alluded to.Schaf. Preached throughout the whole world. A prediction of the world-wide preaching of his death. This also that she hath done. a memorial. Fulfilled to the letter. It is right to record and remember the good deeds of those who love Christ; but when the desire to be put on record enters, the ointment is spoiled. This is the only case where such a promise is made; therefore the incident has a weighty lesson, and holds up a noble example,Schaff.

FACT QUESTIONS 14:1-9

897.

Is it true that Mark placed the anointing out of its chronological order? When did the anointing occur?

898.

When and where did the consultation of the priests take place?

899.

How did Mary obtain this costly ointment?

900.

What possible purpose did Mark have in introducing the incident of the anointing at the time he did?

901.

Who did the most murmuring? Why?

902.

On what day of the week was the Passover slain? What day and month of the Jewish calendar?

903.

When was the feast of unleavened bread observed?

904.

How does Matthew 26:3 help us in our understanding of the plot of the chief priests and scribes?

905.

What prompted the thought that something must be done immediately to stop Jesus?

906.

Who would oppose putting Him to death?

907.

What is meant in the word craft or subtlety?

908.

What group of Jews were especially friendly toward Jesus? How many Jews in Jerusalem for the Passover?

909.

How could the commending given by our Lord as related in Luke 7:36-50 relate to this incident?

910.

At what precise time was the feast held? Cf. John 12:1.

911.

Three facts about Bethany:

912.

Who was Simon the leper? Why the feast?

913.

The woman (Mary) really never had a box at allwhat was it?

914.

From what plant was the ointment made? From where was it imported?

915.

How many ounces in the flask of Mary?

916.

B. W. Johnson states the ointment was worth $300 in 1889what would be the value today?

917.

In what way did she break the jar?

918.

What special honor was associated with anointing the head?

919.

Who was involved in the indignation?

920.

There was no wasteexplain why.

921.

Who really cares for the poor?

922.

What sharp rebuke was delivered by our Lord? Why?

923.

Was Mary affected by the criticism of the twelve? In what way? What answer did she have to Judas-' question?

924.

How did Jesus measure the moral quality of the act? How did the disciples measure it?

925.

What is meant by the expression ye have the poor with you always?

926.

What praise is more precious than the ointment?

927.

Did Mary really anticipate our Lord's death and come to aforehand anoint his body?

928.

What prediction is made of the world-wide preaching of the death of Christ?

929.

When is the ointment spoiled?