Mat 26:6-13, Mar 14:3-9 | Family | STEP | In Bethany ; this was six days before the passover. . The evangelist therefore goes back a little in his narrative.

Matthew 26:6-13

In Bethany; this was six days before the passover. Joh 12:1. The evangelist therefore goes back a little in his narrative. There came unto him a woman, Mary, the sister of Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead Joh 12:3.

Alabaster; a kind of stone carved into ornamental and costly boxes, or vases, especially for perfumes.

Ointment; perfumes, liquid or more solid.

Sat at meat; reclined on a couch, as the custom then was at meals, leaning on the left elbow. When his disciples saw it--To what purpose is this waste? in Joh 12:4, Judas Iscariot is named as the author of this remark, which seems to have been seconded by some of Jesus' disciples. Compare Mr 14:4. The part taken by Judas in this transaction may have been the reason why it is related here in immediate connection with his treachery. That which is employed in expressions of love to Christ by his sincere and devoted followers, is often thought by others to be wasted and lost. But in the view of Christ it is well used, and he will see that it receives a gracious and an honorable reward. She hath wrought a good work; she had expressed her sincere and ardent love to her Saviour. For my burial; it was customary to anoint the body, or embalm it with spices and ointment, preparatory to burial. So he says this might be considered as preparatory to his burial. A memorial of her; in remembrance of what she had done.

Mark 14:3-9

Love is fruitful in ways of expressing itself towards the object beloved. That which would be thought by others quite too expensive, and requiring too much self-denial, is performed, under the influence of true affection, with alacrity and delight. Persons may be in the same society, and yet their hearts be going out towards totally different objects. Mary, in the fervor of love for the Saviour, was anointing him with very precious ointment, while Judas was saying, "Wherefore is this waste?" and preparing to go to his murderers with the question, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" Surely, "He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats." Three hundred pence; in the Greek, three hundred denarii. The denarius is commonly estimated at about fifteen cents. Three hundred denarii, then, would be about forty-five dollars. She hath done what she could; showed her love in the best way in her power.