Albert Barnes Commentary Mark 14:3

"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; [and] she brake the cruse, and poured it over his head." — Mark 14:3 (ASV)

Ointment. This word does not convey quite the proper meaning. This was a perfume: it was used only to give a pleasant scent, and was liquid.

Of spikenard. The nard, from which this perfume was made, is a plant of the East Indies, with a small slender stalk and a heavy, thick root. The best perfume is obtained from the root, though the stalk and fruit are used for that purpose.

And she brake the box. This may mean no more than that she broke the seal of the box, so that it could be poured out. Boxes of perfumes are often sealed, or fastened with wax, to prevent the perfume from escaping. It was not likely that she would break the box itself when it was unnecessary; and when the perfume, being liquid, would have been wasted, especially since it was very precious. Nor from a broken box or vial, could she easily have poured it on his head.