2.1 KiB
Connecting Statement:
Though some were angry that the oil was used to anoint Jesus, Jesus says that the woman has anointed his body for burial before he will die.
Simon the leper
This man previously had leprosy but was no longer ill. This is a different man than Simon Peter and Simon the Zealot. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)
he was reclining at the table
In Jesus' culture, when people gathered to eat, they reclined on their sides, propping themselves up on pillows beside a low table.
alabaster jar
This is a jar made from alabaster. Alabaster was a very expensive yellow-white stone. AT: "beautiful white stone jar" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown)
of very costly liquid, which was pure nard
"that contained expensive, fragrant perfume called nard." Nard was a very expensive, sweet-smelling oil used to make perfume. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown)
on his head
"on Jesus' head"
What is the reason for this waste?
They asked this question to show that they disapproved of the woman pouring the perfume on Jesus. This can be written as a statement. AT: "It is terrible that she wasted that perfume!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)
This perfume could have been sold
Mark wants to show his readers that those present were more concerned about money. This can be stated in active form. AT: "We could have sold this perfume" or "She could have sold this perfume" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)
three hundred denarii
"300 denarii." Denarii are Roman silver coins. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney and rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers)
given to the poor
The phrase "the poor" refers to poor people. This refers to giving the money from the sale of the perfume to the poor. AT: "the money given to poor people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj)