Mark 14:4

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) There were some that had indignation.—Note St. Mark’s limitation of the murmurers to “some,” as an intermediate stage between St. Matthew’s “the disciples” and St. John’s naming “Judas.”

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Ointment - This word does not convey quite the proper meaning. This was a perfume. It was used only to give a pleasant odor, and was liquid.

Of spikenard - The "nard," from which this perfume was made, is a plant of the East Indies, with a small, slender stalk, and a heavy, thick root. The best perfume is obtained from the root, though the stalk and fruit are used for that purpose.

And she brake the box - This may mean no more than that she broke the "seal" of the box, so that it could be poured out. Boxes of perfumes are often sealed or made fast with wax, to prevent the perfume from escaping. It was not likely that she would break the box itself when it was unnecessary, and when the unguent, being liquid, would have been wasted; nor from a broken box or vial could she easily have "poured it" on his head.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. And there were some that had indignation within themselves and said—Matthew says (Mt 26:8), "But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying," &c. The spokesman, however, was none of the true-hearted Eleven—as we learn from John (Joh 12:4): "Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray Him." Doubtless the thought stirred first in his breast, and issued from his base lips; and some of the rest, ignorant of his true character and feelings, and carried away by his plausible speech, might for the moment feel some chagrin at the apparent waste.

Why was this waste of the ointment made?

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Mark 14:3"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And there were some that had indignation within themselves,.... The Syriac version reads, "some of the disciples": agreeably to Matthew 26:8, particularly Judas, and others might be incensed by his means:

and said, why was this waste of the ointment made? See Gill on Matthew 26:8.

Geneva Study Bible

{2} And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

(2) Rash judgments are made void before God.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Mark 14:4. τινὲς, certain persons; who, not indicated; Mt. says the disciples, John singles out Judas.—τοῦ μύρου γέγονεν: these words omitted in Mt. Observe the repetition in Mark 14:5, τοῦτο τὸ μύρον ([127] [128] [129], etc.). Mt. simply has τοῦτο (so here in T.R.). Mt. more elegant in style, but Mk. truer to life = “To what purpose this waste of the myrrh? For this myrrh might, etc.”—the style of men speaking under emotion.

[127] Codex Vaticanus (sæc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.

[128] Codex Ephraemi

[129] Codex Regius--eighth century, represents an ancient text, and is often in agreement with א and B.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

4. And there were some] The murmuring began with Judas Iscariot (John 12:4), and his spirit of murmuring infected some of the others, simple Galileans, little accustomed to such luxury.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - But there were some that had indignation - the word in the original is ἀγανακτοῦντες, ached with vexation - among themselves. St. Mark says, "there were some;" avoiding any more particular mention of them. St. Matthew (Matthew 26:8) says that the disciples generally had indignation. The murmuring seems to have been general. At length it found a definite expression in Judas Iscariot (see John 12:4). Mark 14:4

Vincent's Word Studies

To what purpose, etc

See on Matthew 26:8.