Mark 14:8 Study Bible: She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

◄ Mark 14:8 ►

She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.

She has done what she could
This phrase highlights the woman's act of devotion and sacrifice. In the Greek, the word for "done" (ἐποίησεν) implies a completed action, emphasizing the finality and completeness of her deed. The phrase "what she could" suggests that she gave her utmost, holding nothing back. This reflects a principle found throughout Scripture: God values the heart and intent behind our actions more than the magnitude of the act itself. Her act is a model of wholehearted devotion, reminiscent of the widow's offering in Mark 12:41-44, where Jesus commends giving out of poverty rather than abundance.

She has anointed My body beforehand for burial
The act of anointing in biblical times was often associated with consecration and preparation. The Greek word for "anointed" (μυρίσαι) indicates a ritualistic act, often reserved for kings or the deceased. This woman's action prophetically anticipates Jesus' impending death and burial, underscoring her spiritual insight and the divine orchestration of events. In the historical context, anointing was a sign of honor and respect, and here it foreshadows the ultimate honor of Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection. This phrase also connects to the Old Testament practice of anointing priests and kings, symbolizing Jesus as the Anointed One, the Messiah.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the New Testament, who is being anointed in this passage. He is preparing for His impending crucifixion and burial.

2. The Woman with the Alabaster Jar
Although not named in Mark, she is identified in other Gospels as Mary of Bethany. She anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, demonstrating her devotion and understanding of His mission.

3. Bethany
A village near Jerusalem where this event takes place. It is significant as a place where Jesus often stayed and taught.

4. The Disciples
Present during this event, some of whom express indignation over what they perceive as wastefulness.

5. The Alabaster Jar
A container of expensive perfume, symbolizing the woman's sacrificial act of worship and preparation for Jesus' burial.

Teaching Points

Sacrificial Worship
The woman's act of anointing Jesus with costly perfume exemplifies true worship, which often involves personal sacrifice and devotion.

Understanding Jesus' Mission
Her action demonstrates a deeper understanding of Jesus' impending death and burial, which even His closest disciples struggled to grasp.

Criticism and Faithfulness
Despite criticism from others, the woman remains faithful in her act of worship, teaching us to prioritize our devotion to Christ over the opinions of others.

Preparation for the Gospel
This anointing prefigures the Gospel message of Jesus' death and resurrection, reminding believers of the importance of preparing their hearts for His return.

Legacy of Faith
Jesus commends the woman's act, ensuring that her account is told wherever the Gospel is preached, highlighting the lasting impact of faithful acts of worship.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the woman's act of anointing Jesus challenge our understanding of sacrificial worship today?

2. In what ways can we prepare our hearts for Jesus' return, as the woman prepared His body for burial?

3. How can we remain faithful in our devotion to Christ when faced with criticism or misunderstanding from others?

4. What are some modern-day equivalents of the "alabaster jar" that we can offer to Jesus in worship?

5. How does this passage deepen our understanding of the Gospel message and its implications for our daily lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Matthew 26:6-13 and John 12:1-8
These passages provide parallel accounts of the anointing, offering additional details and perspectives.

Isaiah 53:9
This prophecy speaks of the suffering servant's burial, connecting to Jesus' preparation for His death.

John 19:38-42
Describes the actual burial of Jesus, where He is anointed with spices, fulfilling the symbolic act performed by the woman.

Sermons

A Little Boy's Effort		Mark 14:8
Acceptance of the Heart	Bishop F. D. Huntington.	Mark 14:8
All May be Useful	C. H. Spurgeon.	Mark 14:8
All May Win This Encomium	Bishop F. D. Huntington.	Mark 14:8
Characteristics of Fervent Love to Christ	Wm. Marsh.	Mark 14:8
Christ Accepts the Humblest Gifts	Dr. Talmage.	Mark 14:8
Do What You Can	Bishop J. C. Ryle.	Mark 14:8
Doing Something for Christ		Mark 14:8
Good Works the Fruit of Faith and Love	Edward Cooper.	Mark 14:8
She Hath Done What She Could		Mark 14:8
The Motive and Measure of Christian Duty	S. Robins.	Mark 14:8
Usefulness of Common Actions	A. Barnes.	Mark 14:8
Various Ways of Serving Christ	Bishop F. D. Huntington.	Mark 14:8
What a Woman May Do		Mark 14:8
What We Can Do We are Bound to Do	Bishop F. D. Huntington.	Mark 14:8
Work and Joy	Bishop J. C. Ryle.	Mark 14:8
A Woman's Memorial	C. S. Robinson, D. D.	Mark 14:1-9
An Alabaster Box of Ointment -- Mary's Gift	R. Glover., J. Morison, D. D.	Mark 14:1-9
Anointing	H. W. Beecher.	Mark 14:1-9
Blinding Influence of Prejudice		Mark 14:1-9
Broken Things Useful to God	P. B. Power.	Mark 14:1-9
Contrast Between Mary and Judas	T. M. Lindsay, D. D.	Mark 14:1-9
Costly Gifts Acceptable to Christ	M. F. Sadler, M. A.	Mark 14:1-9
Costly Offerings Acceptable to God	Bishop H. C. Potter.	Mark 14:1-9
Mary Anointing Christ	C. Bradley, M. A.	Mark 14:1-9
Profusion not Waste	Prof. J. Stacey, D. D.	Mark 14:1-9
She Brake the Box	P. B. Power.	Mark 14:1-9
The Alabaster Cruse	R. Green	Mark 14:1-9
The Anointing At Bethany	Alex. McKenzie, D. D.	Mark 14:1-9
The Anointing At Bethany	W. Denton, M. A.	Mark 14:1-9
The Box of Ointment	Alexander Finer, D. D.	Mark 14:1-9
The Broken Vase	Bishop Christopher Wordsworth.	Mark 14:1-9
The Offering of Devotion	Alex. McKenzie, D. D.	Mark 14:1-9
The Sacrifice of Love	J. C. Gray.	Mark 14:1-9
The True Principle of Christian Expenditure	Bishop H. C. Potter.	Mark 14:1-9
Wasted Aroma	Dr. Talmage.	Mark 14:1-9
Working for Christ	Henry S. Miles, M. A.	Mark 14:1-9
The Betrayal by Judas	J.J. Given	Mark 14:1-11, 18-21, 43-50
Anointing for Martyrdom	E. Johnson	Mark 14:3-9
The Precious Spikenard; Or, the Impulse of the Absolute	A.F. Muir	Mark 14:3-9

People

James, Jesus, John, Judas, Peter, Simon

Places

Bethany, Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives

Topics

Able, Aforehand, Anoint, Anointed, Anticipated, Beforehand, Body, Burial, Burying, Embalming, Oil, Perfume, Perfumed, Preparation, Prepare, Ready, Resting-place

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Mark 14:8

     2411   cross, predictions
     4490   ointment
     4496   perfume
     5241   burial
     8421   equipping, physical

Mark 14:3-9

     5745   women
     5979   waste
     8356   unselfishness

Library

July 28 Evening
Let your requests be made known unto God.--PHIL. 4:6. Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.--There was given to me a thorn in the flesh. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 18 Evening
She hath done what she could.--MARK 14:8. This poor widow hath cast in more than they all.--Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.--If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.--If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 7 Evening
Jesus . . . was moved with compassion toward them.--MATT. 14:14. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.--We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.--Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way.--He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

'Is it I?'
'Is it I?'--Mark xiv. 19 The scene shows that Judas had not as yet drawn any suspicion on himself. Here the Apostles seem to be higher than their ordinary stature; for they do not take to questioning one another, or even to protest, 'No!' but to questioning Christ. I. The solemn prophecy. It seems strange at first sight that our Lord should have introduced such thoughts then, disturbing the sweet repose of that hallowed hour. But the terrible fact of the betrayal was naturally suggested by the emblems …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Sleeping Apostle
'Simon, sleepest thou!'--Mark xiv. 37 It is a very old Christian tradition that this Gospel is in some sense the Apostle Peter's. There are not many features in the Gospel itself which can be relied on as confirming this idea. Perhaps one such may be found in this plaintive remonstrance, which is only preserved for us here. Matthew's Gospel, indeed, tells us that the rebuke was addressed to Peter, but blunts the sharp point of it as directed to him, by throwing it into the plural, as if spoken to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Secret Rendezvous
'And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the pastorer, His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the passover? 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. 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? …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The New Passover
'And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, the disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the Passover? 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. 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? …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Strong Crying and Tears'
'And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and He saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33. And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34. And saith onto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35. And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Captive Christ and the Circle Round Him
'And immediately, while He yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44. And he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely. 45. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to Him, and saith, Master, Master; and kissed Him. 46. And they laid their hands on Him, and took Him. 47. And one of them that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Condemnation which Condemns the Judges
'And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death; and found none. 56. For many bare false witness against Him, but their witness agreed not together. 57. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against Him, saying, 58. We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59. But neither so did their witness agree together. 60. And the high priest stood up in their …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Alabaster Box
'And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on Me.... 8. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying. 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.'--Mark xiv. 6-9. John's Gospel sets this incident in its due framework of time and place, and tells us the names of the actors. The time was within a week …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Questions About the Lord's Supper
THE paper which begins at this page requires a few words of prefatory explanation. It consists of fifty-one questions about the Lord's Supper, with special reference to points which are the subject of much dispute and controversy in the present day. It supplies fifty-one answers to these questions, chiefly drawn from the New Testament, and the Articles, Communion Service, and Catechism of the Church of England. It contains, in addition, some valuable extracts from the writings of standard English …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

That He who is About to Communicate with Christ Ought to Prepare Himself with Great Diligence
The Voice of the Beloved I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of sanctity. I seek a pure heart, and there is the place of My rest. Prepare for Me the larger upper room furnished, and I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.(1) If thou wilt that I come unto thee and abide with thee, purge out the old leaven,(2) and cleanse the habitation of thy heart. Shut out the whole world, and all the throng of sins; sit as a sparrow alone upon the house-top,(3) and think upon thy transgressions …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Twenty-Eighth Lesson. Father! not what I Will;'
Father! Not what I will;' Or, Christ the Sacrifice. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what Thou wilt.'--Mark xiv. 36. WHAT a contrast within the space of a few hours! What a transition from the quiet elevation of that, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, FATHER I WILL,' to that falling on the ground and crying in agony. My Father! Not what I will.' In the one we see the High Priest within the veil in His …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
"She hath done what she could."--MARK 14:8. MY DEAR SISTER, You doubtless feel a deep interest in the great benevolent enterprises of the present day. No one who possesses the spirit of our Master can be indifferent towards them. It is important, then, that you should know what you can do towards moving forward these enterprises. For, remember that your obligation is as extensive as your ability. Christ commended the woman, referred to in the passage above quoted for doing "what she could." …
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females

Mark.
Commentaries. George Petter (the largest Com. on M., London, 1661, 2 vols. fol.); C. Fr. A. Fritzsche (Evangelium Marci, Lips., 1830); A. Klostermann (Das Marcusevangelium nach seinem Quellenwerthe für die evang. Gesch., Göttingen, 1867); B. Weiss (Das Marcusevangelium und seine synopt. Parallelen, Berlin, 1872); Meyer (6th ed. by Weiss, Gött., 1878); Joseph A. Alexander (New York, 1858, and London, 1866); Harvey Goodwin (London, 1860); John H. Godwin (London, 1869); James Morison …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

"She Hath done what She Could. " Mark 14:8.
"She hath done what she could." Mark 14:8. 1 Bless, O bless, Almighty Father, Woman's mission with our race,-- Her fond strivings here to gather Fruits of thy redeeming grace. 2 Though her way be not where honor Wins the gazing world's acclaim, Yet we bless thee that upon her Rests the power of Jesus' name. 3 In that name, O Father, strengthen Her full heart and ready hands; May her efforts serve to lengthen Christian love's encircling bands. 4 Where the mourning and the needy And the suffering …
J.G. Adams—Hymns for Christian Devotion

Jerusalem
For the history of the disciples after the death of Jesus we are dependent upon a single source, the Acts of the Apostles, which can, however, be controlled, and to some extent corrected, by the gospels and by the epistles of Paul. It is now generally recognised that if any one wishes to write a life of Christ he ought to base his work not on the gospels as we have them now, but rather on the information provided by the critical analysis of the gospels as to their sources. These sources, or at least …
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity

Watch and Pray. --Mark. xiv. 38
Watch and Pray.--Mark. xiv. 38. Our Saviour's words are "Watch and Pray:" Lord, make us willing to obey; Lord, make us able to fulfil Thy counsel--give both power and will. The wisdom from above impart, To keep our hand, and tongue, and heart, In thought, word, deed,--that so we may Pray whilst we watch, watch while we pray. Lest while we watch, and fear no snare, We fall into neglect of prayer; Or, while we pray, and watch not, sin Creep like a subtil serpent in. When by an evil world beset, …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

As the Rind of a Pomegranate are Thy Cheeks, Besides that which is Hidden Within.
As the rind of the pomegranate is the least part of it, and includes all its excellence, so with this soul, its exterior appears of small account in comparison with what is concealed within. [42] The interior is filled with, the purest charity and the most advanced graces, but hidden under a very common exterior; for God takes pleasure in hiding away the souls He destines for Himself. Men are not worthy to know them, though the angels admire and respect them even under the humblest external form …
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

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