Devine Scripture

Mark 14:4

What does Mark 14:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:4 means

Some present react with indignation, calling the woman’s action a waste. Their response measures devotion by monetary efficiency rather than by love and insight. They are offended because they cannot see beyond the ledger to the Lord. Indignation often cloaks spiritual dullness; they rebuke a beautiful act because it does not fit their priorities. By labeling it wasteful, they reveal a heart that undervalues Jesus. The criticism stings all the more because it comes from within the circle of discipleship, showing that even close followers can misjudge genuine worship when costliness challenges their assumptions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But there were some that had indignation among themselves, saying, To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But there were some that had indignation among themselves, saying, To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But some of them were angry among themselves, saying, For what purpose has this oil been wasted?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there were certain much displeased within themselves, and saying, `For what hath this waste of the ointment been made?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there were some indignant in themselves, and saying, Why has this waste been made of the ointment?

Context

The woman’s devotion provokes a debate at the table. Before Jesus speaks, Mark lets us hear the murmurs of disapproval. This prepares us for Jesus’ defense of the woman and His interpretation of her action as preparation for burial. The contrast between the critics and the woman heightens the moral clarity of the scene. Their indignation also anticipates Judas’ decision to trade Jesus for money, linking complaints about cost to betrayal. The next verses will correct their perspective and place the woman’s deed within God’s redemptive plan.

v.3And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure nard very costly; and she brake the cruse, and poured it over his head.

v.4This passage

v.5For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred shillings, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:4

    Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

  • Matthew 26:8

    But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

  • Malachi 1:12

    But ye profane it, in that ye say, The table of Jehovah is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even its food, is contemptible.

  • John 12:4

    But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that should betray him, saith,

  • Ecclesiastes 5:4

    When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest.

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