Matthew 26:9

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.”

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

BSB

This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”

KJV

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

ASV

For this [ointment] might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

BBE

For we might have got much money for this and given it to the poor.

Original Greek

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ἐδύνατο edunato It was possible G1410 γὰρ gar for G1063 τοῦτο touto this G3778 τὸ to (the) G3588 μύρον muron fragrant oil G3464 πραθῆναι prathēnai to be sold G4097 πολλοῦ pollou for much G4183 καὶ kai and G2532 δοθῆναι dothēnai to be given G1325 πτωχοῖς ptōchois to [the] poor G4434

The early church

In this woman is prefigured the people of the Gentiles, who gave glory to God in Christ's passion; for she anointed His head, but the head of Christ is God, and ointment is the fruit of good works. But the disciples, anxious for the salvation of Israel, say that this ought to have been sold for the use of the poor; designating by a prophetic instinct the Jews, who lacked faith, by the name of the poor.
Hilary of Poitiers · d. 367Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
And whence had they this thought? They used to hear their Master saying, "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice," and blaming the Jews, because they omitted the weightier matters, judgment, and mercy, and faith, and discoursing much on the mount concerning almsgiving, and from these things they inferred with themselves, and reasoned, that if He accepts not whole burnt offerings, neither the ancient worship, much more will He not accept the anointing of oil.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Matthew
(de Cons. Ev. ii. 79.) We may however understand that the other disciples thought or said the same, or that they assented to what Judas said, and thus Matthew and Mark have described their common consent. But Judas said it because he was a thief, the others out of their care for the poor; and John desired to mention it only in the case of him whose thievish propensity he thought ought to be recorded.
Augustine of Hippo · d. 430Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 6–13

The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token of the highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon him. The more Christ's servants and their services are cavilled at, the more he manifests his acceptance. This act of faith and love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places where the gospel should be preached. This prophecy is fulfilled.

Read Matthew Henry on Matthew 26 →

Parallel passages

2

The same words or events elsewhere.

Mark 14:4–5John 12:4–5

Cross-references

7

Topics

PresumptionParsimony (Stinginess)

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.