14:3 For thematic reasons Matthew and Mark both placed this event within the story of the hostility of Jesus' enemies. It is apparently out of chronological order (cf. John 12:1). This rearrangement of the material highlighted the contrast between the hatred of unbelievers and the love of believers for Jesus. The incident probably occurred the previous Saturday evening.331
John added that the woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, and that she anointed Jesus' feet as well as His head. Anointing a guest's head was a common way to honor such a person at a festive occasion (cf. Ps. 23:5; Luke 7:46).
14:4-5 Apparently Judas Iscariot voiced the disciples' violent objection (Gr. embrimaomai, cf. 10:14) to Mary's act of loving sacrifice (Matt. 26:8; John 12:4). Customarily Jews gave gifts to the poor the evening of Passover.332Mary's gift to Jesus was worth a year's wages. The disciples could see no reason for this "waste"because they did not understand that Jesus' death was imminent. Their concern for the poor contrasts with her concern for Jesus.
14:6-8 Jesus defended Mary's act and explained why it was appropriate. It was an act of devotion to Jesus, and it was an anointing for burial. We cannot tell how much about Jesus' death Mary understood. She probably anointed Him only as an act of love. We should not interpret Jesus' statement as expressing disregard for the poor (cf. Matt. 5:3; 6:2-4; 19:21; Luke 6:20, 36-38; 21:1-4; John 13:29).
14:9 This statement is a further evaluation of the greatness of Mary's act. It implies the continuance of the gospel proclamation beyond Jesus' death and resurrection to the whole world.
"The Lord erected a memorial for all time to her who had done her best to honour Him."333
