5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
5 It could have been sold for more than a year's wages
5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii
5 This perfume could have been sold for well over a year's wages and handed out to the poor." They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her.
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply.
5 "It could have been sold for a year's wages and the money given to the poor!" So they scolded her harshly.
5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.
5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii
5 "Why wasn't this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces."
5 "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"
5 "That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor."
(Read John 12:1-11)
Christ had formerly blamed Martha for being troubled with much serving. But she did not leave off serving, as some, who when found fault with for going too far in one way, peevishly run too far another way; she still served, but within hearing of Christ's gracious words. Mary gave a token of love to Christ, who had given real tokens of his love to her and her family. God's Anointed should be our Anointed. Has God poured on him the oil of gladness above his fellows, let us pour on him the ointment of our best affections. In Judas a foul sin is gilded over with a plausible pretence. We must not think that those do no acceptable service, who do it not in our way. The reigning love of money is heart-theft. The grace of Christ puts kind comments on pious words and actions, makes the best of what is amiss, and the most of what is good. Opportunities are to be improved; and those first and most vigorously, which are likely to be the shortest. To consult to hinder the further effect of the miracle, by putting Lazarus to death, is such wickedness, malice, and folly, as cannot be explained, except by the desperate enmity of the human heart against God. They resolved that the man should die whom the Lord had raised to life. The success of the gospel often makes wicked men so angry, that they speak and act as if they hoped to obtain a victory over the Almighty himself.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 14:5
Commentary on Mark 14:1-11
(Read Mark 14:1-11)
Did Christ pour out his soul unto death for us, and shall we think any thing too precious for him? Do we give him the precious ointment of our best affections? Let us love him with all the heart, though it is common for zeal and affection to be misunderstood and blamed; and remember that charity to the poor will not excuse any from particular acts of piety to the Lord Jesus. Christ commended this woman's pious attention to the notice of believers in all ages. Those who honour Christ he will honour. Covetousness was Judas' master lust, and that betrayed him to the sin of betraying his Master; the devil suited his temptation to that, and so conquered him. And see what wicked contrivances many have in their sinful pursuits; but what appears to forward their plans, will prove curses in the end.