Mark 14:5

5 It could have been sold for a year's wages and given to the poor!" And they scolded her.

Mark 14:5 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 14:5

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred
pence
Which, was to the value of our money nine pounds, seven shillings, and sixpence:

and given to the poor;
which was thought to be a better way of expending it, than by pouring it on the head of Christ:

and they murmured against her:
that she should lavish so much money away in such an imprudent manner; they reproved her for it, expressed much resentment at it, and were very angry with, her upon the account of it; (See Gill on Matthew 26:8), (See Gill on Matthew 26:9).

Mark 14:5 In-Context

3 While he was in Beit-Anyah in the home of Shim`on (a man who had had tzara`at), and as he was eating, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfume, pure oil of nard, very costly. She broke the jar and poured the perfume over Yeshua's head.

4 But some there angrily said to themselves, "Why this waste of perfume?

5 It could have been sold for a year's wages and given to the poor!" And they scolded her.

6 But he said, "Let her be. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me.

7 For you will always have the poor with you; and whenever you want to, you can help them. But you will not always have me.