Mark 14:4
New International Version
Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?

New Living Translation
Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked.

English Standard Version
There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that?

Berean Standard Bible
Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?

Berean Literal Bible
And some were indignant within themselves: "Why has this the waste of the fragrant oil been made?

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

New King James Version
But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?

New American Standard Bible
But there were some indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?

NASB 1995
But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?

NASB 1977
But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?

Legacy Standard Bible
But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?

Amplified Bible
But there were some who were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?

Christian Standard Bible
But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this perfume been wasted?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this fragrant oil been wasted?

American Standard Version
But there were some that had indignation among themselves, saying, To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made?

Contemporary English Version
This made some of the guests angry, and they complained, "Why such a waste?

English Revised Version
But there were some that had indignation among themselves, saying, To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Some who were there were irritated and said to one another, "Why was the perfume wasted like this?

Good News Translation
Some of the people there became angry and said to one another, "What was the use of wasting the perfume?

International Standard Version
Irritated, some who were there asked one another, "Why was the perfume wasted like this?

Majority Standard Bible
Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?

NET Bible
But some who were present indignantly said to one another, "Why this waste of expensive ointment?

New Heart English Bible
But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?

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

Weymouth New Testament
But there were some who said indignantly among themselves, "Why has the ointment been thus wasted?

World English Bible
But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and there were certain much displeased within themselves, and saying, “For what has this waste of the ointment been made?

Berean Literal Bible
And some were indignant within themselves: "Why has this the waste of the fragrant oil been made?

Young's Literal Translation
and there were certain much displeased within themselves, and saying, 'For what hath this waste of the ointment been made?

Smith's Literal Translation
And there were some displeased in themselves, and saying, For what has been the loss of this perfumed oil?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said: Why was this waste of the ointment made?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But there were some who became indignant within themselves and who were saying: “What is the reason for this waste of the ointment?

New American Bible
There were some who were indignant. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil?

New Revised Standard Version
But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But there were some men of the disciples who were displeased within themselves, and said, Why was this perfume wasted?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But there were some of the disciples who were displeased within themselves and they said, “Why the loss of this ointment?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And some of them were displeased within themselves, and said: For what purpose was this waste of the ointment?

Godbey New Testament
And there were certain ones indulging in indignation among themselves (and saying), For what was this loss of the myrrh?

Haweis New Testament
And there were some who felt indignation within themselves, saying, Wherefore is this waste of the ointment made?

Mace New Testament
but some had a secret indignation, and said, why must the perfume be so wasted?

Weymouth New Testament
But there were some who said indignantly among themselves, "Why has the ointment been thus wasted?

Worrell New Testament
But there were some who were much displeased among themselves, saying, "To what purpose has this waste of the ointment been made?

Worsley New Testament
And there were some provoked at it and said, Why was this waste made of the ointment?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
3While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. 4Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? 5It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.…

Cross References
John 12:4-6
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, / “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” / Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.

Matthew 26:8-9
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste? / This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”

Luke 22:3-6
Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ...

John 13:29
Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.

Matthew 20:24
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.

Luke 9:46-48
Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. / But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him. / And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”

John 6:70-71
Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” / He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.

Matthew 19:21
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

Luke 16:14
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.

John 11:57
But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.

Matthew 18:1-4
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” / Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. / “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ...

Luke 10:40-42
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” / “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. / But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”

John 2:15-16
So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. / To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!”

Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

there.

Ecclesiastes 4:4
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Matthew 26:8,9
But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? …

John 12:4,5
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, …

Why.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-8
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed…

Malachi 1:12,13
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible…

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Mark 14
1. A conspiracy against Jesus.
3. Expensive perfume is poured on his head by a woman.
10. Judas sells his Master for money.
12. Jesus himself foretells how he will be betrayed by one of his disciples;
22. after the passover prepared, and eaten, institutes his last supper;
26. declares beforehand the flight of all his disciples, and Peter's denial.
43. Judas betrays him with a kiss.
46. Jesus is apprehended in the garden;
53. falsely accused and impiously condemned of the council;
65. shamefully abused by them;
66. and thrice denied by Peter.














But some of them
This phrase indicates that not all present were in agreement, highlighting a division among the disciples or those present. The Greek word used here, "τινες" (tines), suggests an unspecified number, emphasizing that dissent can arise even within a close-knit group. This reflects the human tendency to question actions that seem extravagant or unnecessary, especially when resources are involved.

were expressing their indignation
The Greek word for "indignation" is "ἀγανακτοῦντες" (aganaktountes), which conveys a strong emotional response, often of anger or annoyance. This reaction is not just a mild disapproval but a deep-seated frustration. Historically, indignation in this context can be understood as a reaction to perceived injustice or mismanagement, reflecting the disciples' concern for practical stewardship.

to one another
This phrase suggests a communal sharing of thoughts, indicating that the indignation was not kept private but was openly discussed. The Greek "πρὸς ἀλλήλους" (pros allēlous) implies a dialogue or conversation, which can lead to a collective mindset. This highlights the importance of communication within a group and how shared opinions can influence collective attitudes.

'Why this waste of perfume?'
The question posed here reflects a utilitarian perspective, where the value of the perfume is measured against its potential use. The Greek word for "waste" is "ἀπώλεια" (apōleia), which can mean destruction or loss. This reflects a misunderstanding of the act's spiritual significance, focusing instead on material value. Historically, perfume was a luxury item, often used in anointing and burial practices, symbolizing honor and devotion. The disciples' question reveals a tension between earthly values and spiritual acts of worship, challenging believers to discern the deeper purpose behind acts of devotion.

(4) There were some that had indignation.--Note St. Mark's limitation of the murmurers to "some," as an intermediate stage between St. Matthew's "the disciples" and St. John's naming "Judas."

Verse 4. - But there were some that had indignation - the word in the original is ἀγανακτοῦντες, ached with vexation - among themselves. St. Mark says, "there were some;" avoiding any more particular mention of them. St. Matthew (Matthew 26:8) says that the disciples generally had indignation. The murmuring seems to have been general. At length it found a definite expression in Judas Iscariot (see John 12:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

some [of]
τινες (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

those present
Ἦσαν (Ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

expressed their indignation
ἀγανακτοῦντες (aganaktountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 23: To be angry, incensed. From agan and achthos; to be greatly afflicted, i.e. indignant.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

one another:
ἑαυτούς (heautous)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

“Why
Εἰς (Eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

this
αὕτη (hautē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

waste
ἀπώλεια (apōleia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 684: Destruction, ruin, loss, perishing; eternal ruin. From a presumed derivative of apollumi; ruin or loss.

of
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

perfume?
μύρου (myrou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3464: Anointing-oil, ointment. Probably of foreign origin; 'myrrh', i.e. perfumed oil.


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