Mark 14 · Verse 5

Mark 14:5

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
Mark 14:5, King James Version

Mark 14:5 in other translations

BSBIt could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.
WEBFor this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her.
ASVFor this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred shillings, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
YLTfor this could have been sold for more than three hundred denaries, and given to the poor;' and they were murmuring at her.
DARBYfor this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. And they spoke very angrily at her.
BBEWe might have got more than three hundred pence for it, and given the money to the poor. And they said things against her among themselves.
WebsterFor it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

What does Mark 14:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence--between nine and ten pounds sterling. and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her--"This he said," remarks John (Joh 12:6), and the remark is of exceeding importance, "not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and had the bag"--the scrip or treasure chest--"and bare what was put therein"--not "bare it off" by theft, as some understand it. It is true that he did this; but the expression means simply that he had charge of it and its contents, or was treasurer to Jesus and the Twelve. What a remarkable arrangement was this, by which an avaricious and dishonest person was not only taken into the number of the Twelve, but entrusted with the custody of their little property! The purposes which this served are obvious enough; but it is further noticeable, that the remotest hint was never given to the Eleven of his true character, nor did the disciples most favored with the intimacy of Jesus ever suspect him, till a few minutes before he voluntarily separated himself from their company--for ever!

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. Three hundred pence. About 41 dollars 40 cents.

(1) "three hundred pence" Mt 18:28

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 It might have been sold - το μυρον, This ointment, is added by ABCDKL, thirty-five others, Ethiopic, Armenian, Gothic, all the Itala except one. Griesbach has received it into the text. The sum mentioned here would amount to nearly 10 sterling.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Mark 14:1-11

Did Christ pour out his soul unto death for us, and shall we think any thing too precious for him? Do we give him the precious ointment of our best affections? Let us love him with all the heart, though it is common for zeal and affection to be misunderstood and blamed; and remember that charity to the poor will not excuse any from particular acts of piety to the Lord Jesus. Christ commended this woman's pious…

Read the full comment on Mark 14:1-11 →

Mark 14:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἠδύνατοēdunatoWas possibleG1410
γὰρgarforG1063
τοῦτοtoutothisG3778
πραθῆναιprathēnaito have been sold [for]G4097
ἐπάνωepanōaboveG1883
δηναρίωνdēnariōndenariiG1220
τριακοσίωνtriakosiōnthree hundredG5145
καὶkaiandG2532
δοθῆναιdothēnaito have been givenG1325
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
πτωχοῖς·ptōchoispoor;G4434
καὶkaiAndG2532
ἐνεβριμῶντοenebrimōntothey were grumblingG1690
αὐτῇ.autēaat her.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Mark 14:5

  • John 13:29

    For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

  • Matthew 20:11

    And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

  • Psalms 106:25

    But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:10

    Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

  • Matthew 18:28

    But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

  • Ephesians 4:28

    Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

  • John 12:5-6

    Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

  • Exodus 16:7-8

    And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings against the Lord: and what are we, that ye murmur against us? And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.

  • Luke 15:2

    And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

  • Philippians 2:14

    Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

  • John 6:7

    Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
pence. See
Mt 18:28; *marg:
Joh 6:7
have been given.
Joh 12:5,6; 13:29; Eph 4:28
And they.
Ex 16:7,8; De 1:27; Ps 106:25; Mt 20:11; Lu 15:2; Joh 6:43
1Co 10:10; Php 2:14; Jude 1:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Mark 14:4

    And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

  • Mark 14:5

    For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

  • Mark 14:6

    And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

Read all of Mark 14

Mark 14:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque podía esto ser vendido por más de trescientos denarios, y darse á los pobres. Y murmuraban contra ella.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car ce parfum aurait pu être vendu plus de 300 deniers, et être donné aux pauvres; et ils la reprenaient vivement.
German
Elberfelder 1871		denn diese Salbe hätte für mehr als dreihundert Denare verkauft und den Armen gegeben werden können. Und sie zürnten mit ihr.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		poterat enim unguentum istud venundari plus quam trecentis denariis, et dari pauperibus. Et fremebant in eam.