Why did the woman break the alabaster box and pour ointment on Jesus?

The woman came with a container of very costly perfumed oil and broke it open to pour it on Jesus’ head while He was at the table. This was not a casual gesture, but a deliberate act of love and honor toward Him. Jesus explains that she did what she could with what she had, and that this act was a way of anointing His body ahead of time for His burial. In other words, whether she fully understood it or not, her loving gift pointed toward His coming death and showed how much she valued Him.

Why did some people say the ointment was wasted and complain about it?

Some who were there felt angry inside and called the pouring out of the ointment a waste. They argued that it could have been sold for more than three hundred pence and the money given to the poor. On the surface, caring for the poor sounds right, but their reaction showed a harsh and narrow judgment of the woman’s act. Jesus shows that their focus was off. Instead of seeing her love for Him, they measured her gift only in money and scolded her for it, which He says was wrong and troubling to her.

What did Jesus mean when He said, "She hath wrought a good work on me"?

When Jesus says, “She hath wrought a good work on me,” He is defending the woman against the criticism. He is saying that her act is not wasteful but beautiful and right in God’s eyes. She used something very costly to honor Him personally, showing faith and love. Jesus calls this a good work because it was done for Him, at the right time, and from a sincere heart. He shifts the focus from the value of the ointment to the value of love for Him and shows that such devotion is pleasing to Him.

How should we understand "ye have the poor with you always, but me ye have not always"?

Jesus is not saying the poor do not matter. He reminds them that the poor will always be around, and they will have many chances to help them. In fact, He says they can do them good whenever they wish. But His time with them in person was short, since His death was near. The woman’s act used this unique moment to honor Him before His burial. So He teaches that caring for the poor is good and ongoing, yet there are also special moments when honoring Him directly should not be treated as a mistake.

What does "she hath done what she could" teach about serving Jesus?

When Jesus says, “She hath done what she could,” He is praising the woman for using what was in her power to show love to Him. She did not control everything, but she did what she was able to do in that moment. This teaches that Jesus values not how large or impressive a gift looks, but whether we faithfully use what we have for Him. It encourages us that simple, costly, or quiet acts done out of love for Christ are seen and honored by Him, even when others do not understand or approve.

Why does Jesus connect the anointing with His burial?

Jesus says, “She is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.” He knows He will soon die, and bodies were commonly anointed with spices and ointments for burial. By doing this while He is still alive, the woman’s act becomes like a funeral preparation done ahead of time. It shows that His death is very near and that this loving act fits into God’s plan. Even if she did not grasp all the details, Jesus treats her action as a Spirit-led way of honoring Him in view of His coming suffering and death.

Why did Jesus say this woman’s act would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached?

Jesus promises that wherever the good news is told in the whole world, what this woman did will also be mentioned as a memorial of her. By saying this, He gives lasting honor to her simple but costly act of love. Her devotion becomes part of the story of His death and resurrection. It shows that those who value Him above money and public opinion are precious to Him. Her example stands as a reminder that heartfelt service to Jesus, even in one moment, can have an enduring place in His story.

What does this passage teach about judging other people’s devotion?

The people who scolded the woman thought they were being wise and caring for the poor, but Jesus calls out their troubling of her. Their harsh words show how easy it is to misjudge another person’s heart and label real devotion as waste. This passage teaches us to be careful before we criticize how someone honors Christ, especially when they give generously. It reminds us that Jesus sees the motives behind an action better than we do, and that love for Him can sometimes look costly or unusual to those watching.

How can this story guide my own attitude toward money and giving?

The woman freely poured out something very costly on Jesus, and He praised her for it. Others only saw the price tag and called it waste. This story invites us to ask whom we value more, Christ or our possessions. It does not tell us to ignore the poor, but it teaches that giving to honor Jesus, whether through caring for people in His name or direct acts of worship, is never wasted. It encourages a generous heart that is willing to use even valuable resources to show love for Him, without fear of human criticism.

Mark.14.3

Mark 14:3

KJV

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.

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

3 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.

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

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.