Mark 14:1-11

Read Mark 14:1-11

Helpful Background Information: 

• Mark 14:1–11 happens right before Jesus’ arrest, when Jerusalem is packed for Passover. Passover remembered how God rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt, so it was a time filled with national pride and strong hopes that God might send a deliverer again. It also had the effect of making the city especially tense because Rome was watching closely for any sign of revolt. In that setting, the chief priests and scribes decide Jesus must die, but they want to do it quietly and “strategically,” not openly, because they fear the crowd’s reaction.

• While the leaders are plotting, Mark shifts to Bethany, where Jesus is eating at the house of Simon the leper. A woman (John 12:1-8 tells us it is Mary) anoints Jesus with an extremely expensive perfume. Some of the people there call it a waste and claim it could have been sold and given to the poor. But Jesus defends her. Right after this moment of devotion, Judas goes to the religious leaders to arrange for his betrayal.

Reflection Questions: 

• Why do you think the religious leaders were more concerned about the reaction of the crowd than about whether their plan to kill Jesus was right or wrong?

• The people around Mary thought her act was a waste. Have you ever felt discouraged or criticized for doing something you believed honored God? How did you respond?

• Mary gave something extremely valuable to honor Jesus. In what ways might God be calling you to show love and devotion to Jesus that goes beyond what is comfortable or expected?

• This passage shows two very different responses to Jesus: Mary’s devotion and Judas’s betrayal. What do these two responses reveal about the human heart?