Mark 14

1,2. See notes on Matt. xxvi. 1-5.

3. Simon the leper. Simon had been a leper, but had probably been healed by our Lord. He was a friend, and perhaps a relative, of the family of Lazarus; who was himself a guest at this supper, whilst his sister “Martha served,” and his other sister Mary performed the action here narrated (see John xii. 2, 3). This narrative must not be confounded with that in Luke vii. 36-50, which has many very different circumstances.

spikenard. The meaning of the Greek word here used (lit., pictic) is not certain. It is probably “genuine nard.”

box. Or, “flask”; of which she probably “brake” either the seal or the neck.

on His head. She applied some also to His feet, which she wiped with her hair (John xii. 3).

4. Why was this waste? The peculiar odour of the perfume, which instantly pervaded the whole room, disclosed at once its quality and costliness. It appears, from John xii. 4, that the dissatisfaction was expressed by Judas, but as he made the pretence of charity, others of the disciples may have acquiesced in it.

5 three hundred pence. About $60; which was little less than a labourer’s wages for a whole year (Matt. xx. 2). Lightfoot (Hor. Heb. ii. 448) puts it as high as $300 in modern value. He who said this soon after sold his Master’s life for a paltry thirty shekels, the price of a slave (Exod. xxi. 32), less than a third of this amount.

6 a good work. “A beautiful work.”

8. She hath done what the could. This interesting form of eulogium is found only in Mark.

aforehand. The anointing of His body was to take place while He was yet alive, as there would be no time afforded for it after His death. Probably Mary had no more than a general presentiment of His approaching departure. This significant act afforded our Lord another opportunity of announcing His speedy decease.

9 throughout the whole world. This promise clearly indicates our Lord’s intention that all the most important facts concerning Himself should be preserved in an enduring form, and circulated throughout “the whole world.”

11 they were glad. It was the opportunity of seizing Jesus “in the absence of the multitude” (Luke xxii. 6), that made this proposal so acceptable to the rulers.

money. Matthew alone mentions the sum—“thirty pieces of silver” (shekels); between $15 and $20; see note on ver. 5.

12-16. See notes on Luke xxii. 7-30.

17-21. See notes on Matt. xxvi. 21-25; John xiii. 21-30.

22-25. See notes on Matt. xxvi. 26-29.

30 before the cock crow twice. In relating both our Lord’s words and Peter’s denial, Mark alone mentions a second cock-crowing. The cock often crows irregularly about midnight, or not long after; and again always, and regularly, about the third hour, or daybreak. When, therefore, “the cock-crowing” is spoken of indefinitely, this last is always meant. Hence the name “cock-crowing” was used for the third watch of the night, which ended at the third hour after midnight (xiii. 35). Mark, therefore, here relates more definitely; the others more generally.

32-42. See notes on Matt. xxvi. 36-46.

33 to be sore amazed. A touch peculiar to Mark.

36. Abba. Mark here, as elsewhere, preserves the Aramaic form: see v. 41; vii. 34.

37. Simon, sleepest thou? Only in Mark. The very words must have lingered in the remembrance of the apostle addressed (see Introduction).

40 neither wist they what to answer Him. Comp. ix. 6.

43-52. See notes, Matt. xxvi. 47-56.

51 a certain young man. It cannot be ascertained who this young man was. Dean Plumptre ingeniously conjectures that he was Lazarus.

But others think that he was Mark himself, who thus modestly claims to have been an eyewitness of part of what he relates.

52 naked. This may simply mean, without his outer robe (see Isa. xx. 2, 3; John xxi. 7). The young man, aroused by the tumult, did not wait to dress himself in the ordinary manner, but merely threw on this linen robe. The material of the dress—“linen”—shows that he did not belong to the poorest class.

53-72. See notes on Matt. xxvi. 57-75.

54 at the fire. Lit., “in the light”: showing he was recognised by the firelight falling on his face.

56 their witness agreed not together. Or, “their evidence did not agree” (Moffatt).

66 in the palace. That is, in the court: see Matt. xxvi. 3. The trial was going on in a room above, which seems to have looked into the court.

69 a maid. “The maid” (R.V.), the same person as before.

72 when he thought thereon. This apostle’s fall is a solemn warning to every Christian to “watch and pray.”