“A Beautiful Thing”
The account in Mark chapter 14 detailing a woman’s extravagant gesture of anointing Jesus with costly perfume provides a powerful contrast between selfless devotion and calculated pragmatism. This incident, set against the backdrop of the religious leaders plotting to secretly arrest and kill Jesus, illuminates the true values of the Kingdom of God.
The Setting: Plotting and Preparation
The event took place two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and scribes were actively seeking a sly way to arrest Jesus and destroy Him, determined not to act during the feast to prevent an uproar from the people. Jesus was staying at Bethany, specifically in the house of Simon the leper.
Mark invites readers to observe the beautiful loyalty of this woman shining brightly against the religious leaders’ animosity, reflecting the contrast described in the Second Psalm where leaders plot in vain against the Lord’s anointed.
Her Action: The Extravagance of Abandonment
Into this setting of hostility and secrecy, “a woman came”. This action provides an opportunity to consider her profound gesture. Mark clearly details the container, the content, and the cost of her devotion.
The Costly Gift
The woman brought an alabaster flask containing ointment of pure nard, which was “very costly”. The monetary value of this perfume was immense, estimated to be worth “more than 300 denarii,” representing approximately a year’s wages. John’s Gospel notes that the fragrance of this material filled the entire house, highlighting its pungency and abundance.
For a woman in that era, such material would likely have been reserved for one of two purposes: as a dowry for her wedding, or for her own burial. By choosing to pour it out on Jesus, she was essentially “pouring out her future” and surrendering her own security, plans, and aspirations.
The Gesture of Complete Devotion
The woman “broke the flask and poured it over his head”. Breaking the flask suggests a gesture of complete abandonment. She did not “coax the top off and eke out a little on Christ,” retaining the rest. Once broken, the flask served its purpose and could be discarded.
This extravagant act was likely grounded in premeditation. It was not something she routinely carried; somewhere in the quietness of her own life, she determined that she would perform this act for Christ.
Their Reaction: Scolding and Cold Pragmatism
The reaction of some onlookers—likely including the disciples—was immediate indignation. They questioned: “Why was the ointment wasted like that? for this ointment could have been sold for more than 300 denarii and given to the poor”. “They scolded her” and “snorted at her,” making her the object of their disapproval.
Disguised Indignation
The onlookers regarded her action as extravagant, wasteful, and a misuse of resources. They attempted to justify their harsh reaction in terms of “concern for the poor,” positioning themselves on the high ground.
However, the sources reveal that their expressed concern was a “thin disguise” for their “cold hearts and tight fists”. The disciples were once again on the wrong side of the equation concerning the values of the Kingdom of God. Judas, in the parallel passage, led this objection.
The Pragmatism of Discipleship
The disciples, who had heard Jesus teach radical devotion (such as “Unless you take up your cross and follow me… you will never be my disciple” and “Don’t first go and deal with your field… you come and follow me”), joined Judas in opposing this extravagant gesture.
Judas serves as a classic illustration of someone who walks closely with Christ but is fundamentally opposed to Him at his core, being only interested in what he could get from it. Such individuals will always oppose the “extravagant gestures” of true devotion.
J.C. Ryle noted that this “spirit of these narrow-minded fault-finders is unhappily only too common,” represented by those who “decry what they call extremes in religion”. If the woman had sought the group’s approval before acting, she “would never have done it” because they would have talked her out of it using high-sounding language about why it was unnecessary, wasteful, or extreme.
The true challenge of the passage is for individuals to face the possibility that they might be part of the disciple band—the pragmatists who question investing a life fully for the Gospel. The woman was scolded because her gratitude to Jesus caused her to give up her dearest possession.
Jesus’ Commendation: A Beautiful and Timely Act
Jesus swiftly reprimanded the critics: “Leave her alone why do you trouble her she’s done a beautiful thing to me”.
Honoring the Unique Moment
Jesus countered their objection about the poor by quoting the law (Exodus 21), acknowledging that the obligation to deal with the poor is ongoing, as “you always have the poor with you”. However, He stressed that the opportunity for this particular act was unique, stating, “you will not always have me”.
He described her act as a “beautiful thing” (callos), meaning it was not just intrinsically good (agathos) but “beautifully good”.