Mark 14:5
What does Mark 14:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 14:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 14:5 means
The critics argue the perfume could have been sold for over three hundred shillings and given to the poor, and they scold the woman. Their reasoning sounds charitable but misses the moment. Charity is good, yet it does not cancel the unique worth of honoring Jesus at this crucial hour. Their harshness betrays their hearts; they use the poor as a pretext to judge another’s devotion. True generosity flows from love for Christ; without that, even good causes can become tools for pride or control. The woman’s sacrifice, not their rebuke, aligns with what God is doing as Jesus approaches His death.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred shillings, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred shillings, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949We might have got more than three hundred pence for it, and given the money to the poor. And they said things against her among themselves.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for this could have been sold for more than three hundred denaries, and given to the poor;' and they were murmuring at her.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred pence and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. And they spoke very angrily at her.
Context
After expressing outrage, the group supplies a moral rationale: aid to the poor. Mark presents their scolding to show how spiritual blindness can wear a halo. This prepares for Jesus’ rebuke in the next verse and His placing of priorities in right order. The mention of the poor will become a teaching point for Jesus, who affirms care for them while highlighting a once-in-history moment. The narrative will soon shift to Judas’ negotiation for money, exposing where fixation on value can lead when cut off from devotion.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jude 1:16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.
- Matthew 20:11
And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,
- John 6:7
Philip answered him, Two hundred shillings’ worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10
Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.
- John 13:29
For some thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus said unto him, Buy what things we have need of for the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
- John 12:5
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?
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