A.T. Robertson Commentary Mark 14

After two days (μετα δυο ημερας). This was Tuesday evening as we count time (beginning of the Jewish Wednesday). In Mt 26:2 Jesus is reported as naming this same date which would put it our Thursday evening, beginning of the Jewish Friday. The Gospel of John mentions five items that superficially considered seem to contradict this definite date in Mark and Matthew, but which are really in harmony with them. See discussion on Mt 26:17 and my

Harmony of the Gospels , pp. 279 to 284. Mark calls it here the feast of "the passover and the unleavened bread," both names covering the eight days. Sometimes "passover" is applied to only the first day, sometimes to the whole period. No sharp distinction in usage was observed.

Sought (εζητουν). Imperfect tense. They were still at it, though prevented so far.

Not during the feast (Μη εν τη εορτη). They had first planned to kill him at the feast (John 11:57), but the Triumphal Entry and great Tuesday debate (this very morning) in the temple had made them decide to wait till after the feast was over. It was plain that Jesus had too large and powerful a following. See on Mt 26:47.

As he sat at meat (κατακειμενου αυτου). Matthew 26:7 uses ανακειμενου, both words meaning reclining (leaning down or up or back) and in the genitive absolute. See on Mt 26:6 in proof that this is a different incident from that recorded in Lu 7:36-50. See on Mt 26:6-13 for discussion of details.

Spikenard (ναρδου πιστικης). This use of πιστικος with ναρδος occurs only here and in Joh 12:3. The adjective is common enough in the older Greek and appears in the papyri also in the sense of genuine, unadulterated, and that is probably the idea here. The word spikenard is from the Vulgate nardi spicati, probably from the Old Latin nardi pistici.

Brake (συντριψουσα). Only in Mark. She probably broke the narrow neck of the vase holding the ointment.

Above three hundred pence (επανω δηναριων τριακοσιων). Matthew has "for much" while Joh 12:5 has "for three hundred pence." The use of "far above" may be a detail from Peter's memory of Judas' objection whose name in this connection is preserved in Joh 12:4.

And they murmured against her (κα ενεβριμωντο αυτη). Imperfect tense of this striking word used of the snorting of horses and seen already in Mr 1:43; 11:38. It occurs in the LXX in the sense of anger as here (Daniel 11:30). Judas made the complaint against Mary of Bethany, but all the apostles joined in the chorus of criticism of the wasteful extravagance.

She hath done what she could (ο εσχεν εποιησεν). This alone in Mark. Two aorists. Literally, "what she had she did." Mary could not comprehend the Lord's death, but she at least showed her sympathy with him and some understanding of the coming tragedy, a thing that not one of her critics had done.

She hath anointed my body aforehand for the burying (προελαβεν μυρισα το σωμα μου εις τον ενταφιασμον). Literally, "she took beforehand to anoint my body for the burial." She anticipated the event. This is Christ's justification of her noble deed. Matthew 26:12 also speaks of the burial preparation by Mary, using the verb ενταφιασα.