Mark 14:5

5 For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and be given to poor men. And they grumbled against her [And they groaned against 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 And when he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon leprous, and rested, a woman came, that had a box of alabaster of precious ointment spikenard; and when the box of alabaster was broken, she poured it on his head. [+And when he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon leprous, and sat at the meat, a woman came, having a box of alabaster of precious ointment spikenard; and the box broken, she poured it out upon his head.]

4 But there were some that bare it heavily within themselves, and said, Whereto is this loss of ointment made?

5 For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and be given to poor men. And they grumbled against her [And they groaned against her].

6 But Jesus said, Suffer ye her; what be ye heavy to her? she hath wrought a good work in [into] me.

7 For evermore ye shall have poor men with you, and when ye will, ye may do well to them; but ye shall not evermore have me. [For ye have ever poor men with you, and when ye will, ye be able to do well to them; forsooth ye shall not ever have me.]