|
In this lesson:
Jesus is anointed at Bethany. Judas makes a deal. Study Tip: When studying, review the Margin Notes in blue. |
By an unknown artist
|
What is -
Passover -
Passover is the annual Jewish holiday (highlighted by the Passover feast) commemorating the night the angel of death passed harmlessly over the enslaved Israelites in Egypt while killing the firstborn of all Egyptians (Exodus 12:13). This fearsome miracle convinced the Egyptians to let the Israelites go free after four hundred years of slavery. To begin the holiday, a sacrificial lamb was killed, without breaking any of its bones (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12), and roasted. The Passover feast was then prepared with bitter herbs (representing the bitterness of slavery) and sweet spices (representing the sweetness of freedom) and was followed immediately by the Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15; Leviticus 23:5-8). The two eventually became as one holiday (Mark 14:1) beginning on the fourteenth day of the seventh month (Abib) and lasting one week as prescribed in Deuteronomy 16:1-3. All Jewish men were required to "appear before the Lord" (Exodus 23:17) on Passover, so thousands of Jews came to Jerusalem each year to celebrate their liberation and to offer up a religious sacrifice. Passover is sometimes called simply the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15; Mark 14:1; Luke 22:1). Another interesting point is that Jesus was sacrificed on the cross the same day the sacrificial Passover lambs were killed in the Temple. Just like the sacrificial lambs, not a bone in Jesus' body was broken (John 19:36). To learn more about the Passover and its importance read Exodus 12:1-30; 12:43-50; 13:1-22; and
Deuteronomy 16:1-8.
Feast of unleavened bread -
Immediately followed Passover and lasted seven days. It memorialized the Jews quick "exodus" from Egypt. Needing to flee quickly, the Israelites prepared for their escape by baking bread without yeast so it wouldn't rise. (Exodus 12:33-34). Each year Jews came to Jerusalem to celebrate both Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15).
Passover -
Passover is the annual Jewish holiday (highlighted by the Passover feast) commemorating the night the angel of death passed harmlessly over the enslaved Israelites in Egypt while killing the firstborn of all Egyptians (Exodus 12:13). This fearsome miracle convinced the Egyptians to let the Israelites go free after four hundred years of slavery. To begin the holiday, a sacrificial lamb was killed, without breaking any of its bones (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12), and roasted. The Passover feast was then prepared with bitter herbs (representing the bitterness of slavery) and sweet spices (representing the sweetness of freedom) and was followed immediately by the Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15; Leviticus 23:5-8). The two eventually became as one holiday (Mark 14:1) beginning on the fourteenth day of the seventh month (Abib) and lasting one week as prescribed in Deuteronomy 16:1-3. All Jewish men were required to "appear before the Lord" (Exodus 23:17) on Passover, so thousands of Jews came to Jerusalem each year to celebrate their liberation and to offer up a religious sacrifice. Passover is sometimes called simply the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15; Mark 14:1; Luke 22:1). Another interesting point is that Jesus was sacrificed on the cross the same day the sacrificial Passover lambs were killed in the Temple. Just like the sacrificial lambs, not a bone in Jesus' body was broken (John 19:36). To learn more about the Passover and its importance read Exodus 12:1-30; 12:43-50; 13:1-22; and
Deuteronomy 16:1-8.
Feast of unleavened bread -
Immediately followed Passover and lasted seven days. It memorialized the Jews quick "exodus" from Egypt. Needing to flee quickly, the Israelites prepared for their escape by baking bread without yeast so it wouldn't rise. (Exodus 12:33-34). Each year Jews came to Jerusalem to celebrate both Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 23:15).
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
|
Mark 14:1-11
Jesus is anointed 1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. 2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. 3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 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. 6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9 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. 10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. |
Margin notes:
"The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him." (14:1) - The Sanhedrin decided weeks earlier that Jesus must die (John 11:53), they were just waiting for their chance. "Lest there be an uproar of the people." (14:2) - The chief priests and scribes feared the people (Luke 22:2). "As he sat at meat." (14:3) - "As Jesus sat at supper." "Spikenard." (14:3) - An expensive, fragrant ointment derived from a Himalayan plant. Latin name: Nardostachys jatamansi, also called nard. This was not the first time Jesus was anointed (Luke 7:37-38). "Given to the poor." (14:5) - It was the Jewish custom to give to the poor on the evening of Passover. "Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good." (14:7) - "You will always have the poor among you, and whenever you want, you can help them." "He sought how he might conveniently betray him." (14:11) - Means "Judas looked for a chance to betray Jesus." |
For additional accounts of Jesus being anointed, see Matthew 26:2-16 (lesson 54) and John 12:1-8.
New Living Translation
Mark 14:1-11
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1 It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him.
2 "But not during the Passover celebration," they agreed, "or the people may riot."
3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.
4 Some of those at the table were indignant. "Why waste such expensive perfume?" they asked.
5 "It could have been sold for a year's wages and the money given to the poor!" So they scolded her harshly.
6 But Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?
7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.
8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.
9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them.
11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1 It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him.
2 "But not during the Passover celebration," they agreed, "or the people may riot."
3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.
4 Some of those at the table were indignant. "Why waste such expensive perfume?" they asked.
5 "It could have been sold for a year's wages and the money given to the poor!" So they scolded her harshly.
6 But Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?
7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.
8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.
9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them.
11 They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head." (14:3)
"And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him." (14:10-11)
"And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him." (14:10-11)
Today's Question:
1. Did the woman who anointed Jesus receive a memorial? (14:9)
“Trashing a hotel room is easy, getting drunk is easy, being a Christian, that’s true rebellion.” Alice Cooper
1. Did the woman who anointed Jesus receive a memorial? (14:9)
“Trashing a hotel room is easy, getting drunk is easy, being a Christian, that’s true rebellion.” Alice Cooper
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Yes, but not a man-made memorial that crumbles in time. The woman in this passage had an even greater honor. Two thousand years after she humbled herself, just as Jesus said (14:9), we still remember and praise her kindness to our Lord.
Additional note: John 12:3 identifies the woman as Mary, sister to Martha and Lazarus, the same Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead in John 11.
Application thought for the day:
What lessons can you find in this passage? How can you apply them to your life?
Visit us on social media below.
Explore hundreds of our original postings.
Explore hundreds of our original postings.
Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke