Murmuring Because of Value - Mark 14:5

Mark wrote how Jesus, “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?”, and in chapter fourteen and verse five of his book, Mark shared how the indignant ones conclude, “it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor”, where we read:

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence,

and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

The verse reads, “For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, ...” Mark began with the words, “for it might have been sold” or “because, since and on account that the precious ointment poured out by the woman was able to be merchandised” “for more than three hundred pence” which means “for the price of three hundred denarius which is equal to ten donkeys and was the principal silver coin of the Roman empire”. Mark shared how those who were indignant thought pouring out the precious ointment was a “waste” because it could have been “sold” for a lot of money.

The verse continues, “... and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.” Mark added the words, “and have been given” which means “and the money could have been granted, bestowed upon, furnished, supplied and distributed” “to the poor” or “to people who were reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms and destitute of wealth, influence, position and honor”. “And they murmured” or “the indignant ones charged with earnest admonition, sternly charge and threatened to enjoin” “against her” which means “in opposition to the woman”. Mark shared how the people who were indignant thought the proceeds from the sale of the precious ointment could have be distributed to the “poor” people among them, and for this reason they “admonished, charged and threatened” the “woman”.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see the negative reaction of those who observed this woman's sacrifice. Though she desired to honor the Lord Jesus with her possession, they had different thoughts concerning what should be done with it. God desires a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they “pour out” their valuable life to Him, regardless of what others think, they will have demonstrated their worship of Him.

Next time we see Mark share how Jesus says, “let her alone; why do you trouble her?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".