Mark 14:3

Translations

Modern

While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, 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.

Traditional

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

Literal

And of Him being in Bethany in the house of Simon the Leper, at His having reclined, a woman came, having an alabaster flask of fragrant oil of pure nard of great price. Having broken the alabaster flask, she poured it on His head.

Latin

Et cum esset Bethaniæ in domo Simonis leprosi, et recumberet, venit mulier habens alabastrum unguenti nardi spicati pretiosi: et fracto alabastro, effudit super caput ejus.

Interlinear

Greek

English

While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, 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.

Notes

Mark 14:3–9

The story of Jesus’s anointing by a woman in Bethany (14:3–9) introduces the events that follow. Luke’s account (Luke 7:36–50) is quite different and may describe another event. This incident took place in Bethany, a village about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) east of Jerusalem on the lower eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Jesus apparently stayed there when he was in Judea (Mark 11:1, 11–12).
The house belonged to Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy (a disease that often caused people to be separated from society). He may have been healed by Jesus (see 1:40–45).
reclining ("sitting back"): The meal was a banquet because the guests were reclining while they ate. A woman (see John 12:3) broke the neck of a sealed alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume (pure nard) and poured all of it on the head of Jesus (see Exodus 29:4–7; 2 Kings 9:1–6).

Theme notes and profiles

Martha, Mary, and Lazarus Women Named Mary

Related verses

Luke 7:37–39
When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume.
John 12:1–8
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.
John 11:2
(Mary, whose brother Lazarus was sick, was to anoint the Lord with perfume and wipe His feet with her hair.)
Matthew 26:6–13
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,
Song of Solomon 4:13–14
Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates with the choicest of fruits, with henna and nard,
Song of Solomon 5:5
I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh on the handles of the bolt.

Parallels

Matthew 26:6–13 Luke 7:36–50 John 12:1–8

People

Simon: A man in Bethany who hosted Jesus for a meal

Places

Bethany: Village near Jerusalem, home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

Glossary

Alabaster Bethany Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Gospel Head Mark, Gospel of Mary Nard, Spikenard Ointment Passion Perfume Simon

Topics

Alabaster: Vessels Made of Box: Made of Alabaster Jesus, the Christ: Anointed with Precious Ointment (In Bethany) Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Simon Mary: Sister of Lazarus: Anoints Jesus Ointment: Not Sacred Simon: A Leper: Jesus Dines With Sitting at Jesus Feet Spikenard: A Fragrant Oil From, Used for Anointing Women: Mary and Martha

Mark 14:3

Translations?

Interlinear?

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