Mark 14:5

5 It could have been sold for more than a year's pay. The money could have been given to poor people." So they found fault with the woman.

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 Jesus was in Bethany. He was at the table in the home of a man named Simon, who had a skin disease. A woman came with a special sealed jar of very expensive perfume. It was made out of pure nard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume on Jesus' head.

4 Some of the people there became angry. They said to one another, "Why waste this perfume?

5 It could have been sold for more than a year's pay. The money could have been given to poor people." So they found fault with the woman.

6 "Leave her alone," Jesus said. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

7 You will always have poor people with you. You can help them any time you want to. But you will not always have me.