3 And when he was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he lay at table, there came a woman having an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly; and having broken the alabaster flask, she poured it out upon his head. 4 And there were some indignant in themselves, and saying, Why has this waste been made of the ointment? 5 for this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. And they spoke very angrily at her. 6 But Jesus said, Let her alone; why do ye trouble her? she has wrought a good work as to me; 7 for ye have the poor always with you, and whenever ye would ye can do them good; but me ye have not always. 8 What she could she has done. She has beforehand anointed my body for the burial. 9 And verily I say unto you, Wheresoever these glad tidings may be preached in the whole world, what this [woman] has done shall be also spoken of for a memorial of her.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 14:3-9
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.