2. THE AT BETHANY Mark 14:3-9 (Matthew 26:6-13; John 12:1-9) 3 And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment of pure nard very costly;--Mark does not give her name, but John tells that it was Mary who was sister to Lazarus and Martha. (Mark 12:3.) The ointment of nard was highly esteemed in antiquity as a precious aromatic and a costly luxury. The cruse and its contents were very valuable, such as any woman of refinement would appreciate. Pliny says that a pound of this ointment cost more than four hundred denarii or sixty dollars. This was a perfume, and used only to give a pleasant odor. and she brake the cruse, and poured it over his head.--John says she "anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair." She did both. That she used her hair instead of a towel to wipe his feet also indicates she did not have bobbed hair. What a supper party! a healed leper, a risen Lazarus, an incarnation of grateful love, a plotting traitor, a marvelous healer and teacher destined to crucifixion, at least two others who would die a martyr's death. 4 But there were some that had indignation among themselves,--They were utterly incapable of entering into the spirit of boundless gratitude and devotion that made any gift seem small to Mary, and thought only of the economical aspects of the case. Mark says "some." Matthew indicates "the disciples" collectively. But it is John who names the ringleader in this angry meanness, and also his motive. It was Judas Iscariot, who valued money so highly that he considered fifteen dollars a fair equivalent for the betrayal of Jesus and the loss of his own soul. John says Judas expressed indignation. saying, To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made?--The loss or destruction of this valuable property. They could see no use in it, and they therefore supposed it was lost. From Judas' standpoint an enormous waste, three times as much value poured upon Jesus as would shortly buy him. Sordid men still think what is bestowed upon our Lord is wasted. 5 For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred shillings, and given to the poor.--The ointment was worth about forty-five dollars. And they murmured against her.--They not only murmured about her, but spoke sharply about what she had done. 6 But Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her?--He saw in her countenance that such words, coming from his chosen apostles, disquieted her. she hath wrought a good work on me.--It was a good work which she had done, because of the believing, grateful love which dictated it. From the standpoint of economy and expediency it might seem unwise, but Jesus judges it by the motive. Then, beside, he knew of its eminent appropriateness to the events so soon to occur. It was a good work which Jesus presently explained to mean that her affectionate sacrifice should constitute an honored part of the anointing for his burial. It was a work distinguished for its moral beauty, fitness, and grace; literally a beautiful work. 7 For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always.--These words were especially significant in view of the declaration he had so repeatedly made to them that he would be put to death at Jerusalem. 8 She hath done what she could;--She wished to show her loving gratitude. All that was possible to her she had done. she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burying.--Matthew says: "For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial." In John, "Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying." Jesus accepts her offering as a preliminary anointing for his burial. She, of course, knew it not, but the oncoming rush of events gives to it this mystic quality. As there would be no time for this after his death, this anointing, as it were for the sepulchre, took place, in the divine arrangement, while he was yet alive. Mary's act of love and faith stands out in striking contrast to the avarice of Judas and the murmurings of the others. 9 And verily I say unto you, Wheresoever the gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world,--With what prophetic confidence Jesus looked forward to the universal preaching of the gospel through the world! What wonderful confidence in one who felt sure of being hurried into the grave in a few days! that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.--A prophecy fulfilled, for where the New Testament has been carried, there has this woman's story been told, and has been a stimulus and encouragement to all the honest, buoyant spirits who have made noble offerings to the Lord, and been censured for them.