Mark 14:8 – “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus explains the significance of the woman’s act of anointing Him with expensive perfume. He tells those who had criticized her that she “did what she could.” Her action wasn’t about doing something grand or impressive in the eyes of the world, but about offering what she had in sincere devotion to Jesus. By anointing Him, she unknowingly prepared His body for burial, an important aspect of Jewish customs when someone died.
Jesus was only days away from His crucifixion, and the woman’s act symbolically anticipated His death. Whether or not she fully understood what she was doing, Jesus saw her offering as prophetic and spiritually significant. In doing “what she could,” the woman demonstrated the kind of wholehearted devotion that Jesus values in His followers.
Historical Context
During the time of Jesus, anointing a body with oil or perfume was a common burial practice. It was a way to honor the deceased and mask the smell of decay. Since Jesus would soon be crucified and buried in haste, this anointing served as a form of preparation that wouldn’t be possible later.
Bethany, where this event took place, was a village just outside of Jerusalem. The Passover festival was approaching, and the atmosphere was charged with religious activity and political tension. Jesus had been openly predicting His death, but most of His followers didn’t fully understand what He meant. However, this woman’s act of anointing Him demonstrated an awareness of His significance and foreshadowed His impending sacrifice.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the idea that worship and devotion to Christ are not measured by the grandeur of the gift but by the heart behind it. The woman didn’t have to do something extraordinary—she simply did what she could. This teaches us that God values even the smallest acts of faith when they are done with love and sincerity.
Theologically, the woman’s act points to the necessity of Jesus’ death. His crucifixion was not a tragic accident but part of God’s plan for redemption. By acknowledging the importance of her act, Jesus was showing that His death had spiritual meaning—it would bring salvation to the world.
Literary Analysis
The phrase “she did what she could” is significant. It suggests both limitation and fulfillment. The woman may not have been able to do much in the eyes of others, but she gave her best. This simple statement contrasts with the harsh rebuke of the people who criticized her in the previous verses (Mark 14:4-5).
Mark also uses foreshadowing in this verse to point to the events of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. The reference to preparing His body ties this story directly to the Passion narrative, making it clear that Jesus’ death is central to the message of the Gospel. The woman’s actions, though simple, are shown to have eternal significance.
Biblical Cross-References
- John 19:38-40 – After Jesus’ death, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepared His body with spices and perfumes, similar to the anointing the woman performed beforehand.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,” emphasizing the importance of doing what we can with what we have.
- Luke 21:1-4 – The story of the widow’s offering, where Jesus commends a woman who gave a small but meaningful gift, similar to the woman in Mark 14.
- Isaiah 53:7-9 – A prophecy about the suffering and burial of the Messiah, which is fulfilled in Jesus’ death.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that God doesn’t expect perfection—He asks for faithfulness. The woman “did what she could,” and Jesus honored her for it. This encourages believers to focus on giving their best to God, even if it seems small or insignificant compared to what others can give. God values the heart behind the action, not the size of the gift.
It’s also a call to recognize and respond to opportunities to honor Jesus. Just as the woman seized the moment to anoint Him, believers are called to take action when they sense God prompting them, knowing that some opportunities may never come again.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in how He values every sincere act of devotion, no matter how big or small. Jesus didn’t dismiss the woman’s offering because it wasn’t practical or grand by worldly standards. Instead, He saw the beauty in her gift because it came from a heart of love. This shows that God’s love isn’t based on performance or outward success but on the genuine faith of His people.
God’s love is also seen in His patience and understanding. While others criticized the woman, Jesus defended her, showing that God honors those who act out of love for Him, even when others don’t understand.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
The woman’s anointing of Jesus points directly to His role as the Messiah and Savior. The mention of His burial connects her act to the events of His crucifixion, where His body would be broken and His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. This anointing was a symbolic acknowledgment of the sacrifice Jesus was about to make.
The woman’s act can also be seen as a reflection of Jesus’ own sacrifice. Just as she gave her best, pouring out something of great value, Jesus poured out His life for humanity. Her offering mirrors His ultimate offering on the cross.
- Philippians 2:5-8 – Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death on the cross, giving His all for the sake of others.
- Hebrews 9:14 – Jesus offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament practices of anointing and preparation for death.
- Ephesians 5:2 – Jesus’ sacrifice is described as a “fragrant offering” to God, similar to the imagery of the perfume poured on Him.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does “doing what you can” for God look like in your current season of life?
- Are there any areas where you’ve held back from giving your best to God out of fear that it’s not enough?
- How does this passage encourage you to trust that even small acts of faith can have eternal significance?
- Have you ever felt criticized for your devotion to God, like the woman in this story? How did you respond?
- In what ways does this verse inspire you to seize opportunities to honor Jesus before they pass?