Mark 14:3-9

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

3 While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, ^[a] 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. ¹

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

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

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

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

8 She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.

9 And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Cross References

• 1. (Matthew 26:6–13; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8)

Footnotes

• [a] Aramaic Simon the Potter or Simon the Jar Maker
• [b] A denarius was customarily a day’s wage for a laborer; see Matthew 20:2.
• [c] See Deuteronomy 15:11.