FocusBetrayal and self-giving
Connection to the wholeThe preparations for death contrast devotion and betrayal, while Jesus interprets the supper in relation to His coming sacrifice.
interpretation Mark 14:3
KJVAnd 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.
Read it in context
Plot, anointing, and supper
Start reading at Mark 14:1 (Mark 14:1 to Mark 14:25).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The preparations for death contrast devotion and betrayal, while Jesus interprets the supper in relation to His coming sacrifice.
- 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
- 14:2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.
- 14:3 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.
- 14:4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
- 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
- 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
- 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
- 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
- 14:9 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.
- 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
- 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
- 14:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?
- 14:13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
- 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
- 14:15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
- 14:16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
- 14:17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
- 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
- 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
- 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
- 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
- 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
- 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
- 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
- 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Mark, traditionally identified as John Mark and associated with Peter's preaching, is the author named by early church testimony. Biblical references: Acts 12:12; 1 Peter 5:13. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Mark, Gospel of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Mark 14:1–14:72): Jesus, His disciples, the woman who anoints Him, Judas, the arresting party, the high priest and council, and Peter appear in successive supper, arrest, and hearing scenes. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Readers who needed explanations of Jewish customs and Aramaic words, indicating a substantial Gentile audience. An association with Rome is early tradition, not an explicit address in the Gospel. Biblical references: Mark 5:41; Mark 7:3; Mark 7:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Mark, Gospel of. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Plot, anointing, and supper. Read Mark 14:1 through Mark 14:25 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The preparations for death contrast devotion and betrayal, while Jesus interprets the supper in relation to His coming sacrifice. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account begins with John the Baptist and follows Jesus' public ministry through His death and resurrection. It does not give a composition date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Galilee, surrounding regions, the journey toward Jerusalem, and Jerusalem form the main narrative movement. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Plot, anointing, and supper (Mark 14:1 to Mark 14:25). Start reading at Mark 14:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Mark explicitly presents the gospel of Jesus Christ and connects His service with giving His life a ransom for many. His identity and the call to follow Him shape the narrative. See Mark 1:1, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:45. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Follow Jesus with obedient service rather than status-seeking. Read predictions of suffering and calls to discipleship alongside accounts of power and deliverance. interpretation
Cited: Mark 14:1, Mark 14:25, Mark 1:1, Mark 8:34, Mark 10:45
Who wrote it, and how we know
John Mark, recording Peter's preaching (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionPapias, quoting an earlier elder, records that Mark wrote down Peter's preaching accurately.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- being Matt 26:6-7 John 11:2 John 12:1-3
- of ointment Song 4:13-14 Song 5:5 Luke 7:37-38
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Mark 14
This Gospel identifies its subject as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and follows His ministry toward the cross and resurrection. No particular original recipient is named in its opening.
Warning and Gethsemane
Mark 14:26–42FocusHuman weakness and submission
Connection to the wholeJesus predicts the disciples' failure and prays in the garden, contrasting their sleep with His obedience.
interpretation Arrest and hearing
Mark 14:43–65FocusAbandonment and testimony
Connection to the wholeJesus is arrested and brought before the council, where accusation and His testimony move the narrative toward condemnation.
interpretation Peter's denial
Mark 14:66–72FocusA disciple's failure
Connection to the wholePeter's repeated denial fulfils the warning and closes the chapter with grief over failed allegiance.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Mark
This Gospel identifies its subject as Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and follows His ministry toward the cross and resurrection. No particular original recipient is named in its opening.
The ministry prepared
Mark 1:1–13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeThe brief opening introduces Jesus and His forerunner, moving rapidly toward the proclamation of the kingdom.
interpretation Authority and opposition
Mark 1:14–3:6FocusTeaching, deliverance, and conflict
Connection to the wholeJesus' works and teaching draw followers while controversies bring the first explicit plot against Him.
interpretation The expanding ministry
Mark 3:7–8:26FocusDisciples, crowds, and understanding
Connection to the wholeTeaching, mighty works, and varied responses repeatedly expose both Jesus' authority and the disciples' difficulty understanding.
interpretation The way to Jerusalem
Mark 8:27–10:52FocusThe Messiah's suffering and following
Connection to the wholePeter's confession is followed by repeated passion predictions and teaching that redefines greatness and discipleship through service.
interpretation Jerusalem and coming judgment
Mark 11:1–13:37FocusTemple conflict and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeJesus' actions and disputes in Jerusalem lead into His teaching about coming troubles and the command to watch.
interpretation FocusDeath, the empty tomb, and proclamation
Connection to the wholeBetrayal, trial, and crucifixion lead to the resurrection proclamation and commission recorded in the KJV's final chapter.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.