Mark 14:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

NIV: Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.'

NASB: Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the entire world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.'

CSB: Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

NLT: I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.'

KJV: Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

NKJV: Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

There are several different things going on here (Mark 14:3–8). People have gathered together to honor Jesus with a meal. The disciples have followed Him for three years, physically and spiritually, and are there as His companions. Unfortunately, they're mostly asserting their arrogance as important men by scolding a woman. Her crime, in their eyes, is "wasting" a small fortune on Jesus rather than giving that money to the poor.

Besides the obvious similarities in John 12:1–8, the scene is reminiscent of Mark 12:41–44. The grand temple stands as supposed testament of God's power and authority. There, as well, arrogant important men wander about, doing things to show their importance. Cultural standards of honor are performed and approved. And the disciples are in their place as Jesus' entourage.

None of these things particularly impress Jesus, certainly not the men who make a show of their position and beneficence. What draws His attention is a poor widow voluntarily and worshipfully giving her last two coins to her God. At the table, Jesus is struck by a woman humbly, sacrificially, and submissively worshiping her God. Neither woman is concerned with the cultural editorials around her. Their only goal is to take what they have and honor the One they follow. Their actions are not the gospel, but they are examples of what our response to the gospel should be.

In Judaism, memorials are very important. God ordained feast days (Exodus 12:14; 13:9), sacrifices (Leviticus 2:2; 5:12), and stones from the Jordan River (Joshua 4) as reminders of what God has done for the Israelites. The New Testament establishes only two interactive memorials for the church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. This woman's anointing of Jesus' head serves as an act of historical remembrance. Her service is forever established as a memorial for Jesus' crucifixion as the Passover Lamb.

Mark 14:3–9 creates another narrative ''sandwich'' in this Gospel. Between the Sanhedrin's machinations to kill Him and Judas' offer to betray Him, a woman honors Jesus. The Passover lamb was chosen six days before the sacrifice. On the first day, its feet and ankles were anointed with oil, as Jesus' were in John 12:1–8. For five days, it would be inspected for flaws, as Jesus was when He taught and debated in the temple (Mark 11:15–12:40). Two days before the Passover, the lamb's head would be anointed, as Jesus' head is, here. This account is also recorded in Matthew 26:6–13.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.