This beautiful incident took place on the Tuesday evening of Passion Week, while the chief priests were gathered in the house of Caiaphas to plot the Lord's death, Matthew 26:3-5. Simon had probably been healed by Jesus, and the feast was held in his house, as being larger than Martha's. Jesus was intimate with Lazarus and his sisters, and this unnamed woman was Mary, John 12:2-3. Alabaster resembled white marble, and the perfume was carefully sealed to preserve it. Its cost would amount to about fifty dollars, and would represent the work of three hundred days, Matthew 20:2. Loveless hearts cannot understand the expenditure of love-they count it waste; but how quickly Jesus steps in to vindicate His own! Probably, of all His followers, Mary alone had understood His references to His death, and as she could not be present to perform the last offices of love, she rendered them in advance. Judas, who led the murmuring, seems to have been goaded to this act by the contrast of Mary's spirit with his own, and by Christ's gentle rebuke.
The two sent to prepare the Passover were Peter and John, Luke 22:8. We may often be guided by very trivial incidents-let us look out for them. A straw may indicate the direction of the current. The owner of the room was probably a secret disciple of Jesus, like him who lent the ass. The r.v. says, "my guest-chamber." It is very beautiful when the Master feels free to put His hand on our possessions, and claim their use. Does he not ask for the guest chamber of our inner life? Is it at His disposal? [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 14
1A conspiracy against Jesus 3Expensive perfume is poured on his head by a woman 10Judas sells his Master for money 12Jesus himself foretells how he will be betrayed by one of his disciples; 22after the passover prepared, and eaten, institutes his last supper; 26declares beforehand the flight of all his disciples, and Peter's denial 43Judas betrays him with a kiss 46Jesus is apprehended in the garden; 53falsely accused and impiously condemned of the council; 65shamefully abused by them; 66and thrice denied by Peter
Greek Commentary for Mark 14:15
And he [και αυτος] Emphatic, and he himself. [source]
A large upper room [αναγαιον μεγα] Anything above ground Perfect passive participle of στρωννυμι strōnnumi state of readiness. “Strewed with carpets, and with couches properly spread” (Vincent). [source]
Furnished [εστρωμενον] Perfect passive participle of στρωννυμι strōnnumi state of readiness. “Strewed with carpets, and with couches properly spread” (Vincent). [source]
And he [αὐτὸς] The Greek is more emphatic. “He will himself show you.” So Rev. Probably the owner of the house was a disciple. [source]
Furnished [ἐστρωμένον] Lit., strewed with carpets, and with couches properly spread. [source]
Luke 22:12And he [κακεινος] Και Kai and εκεινος ekeinos (χρασις crasis) where Mark 14:15 has και αυτος kai autos Literally, “And that one.” See note on Mark for rest of the verse. [source]
Acts 1:13Into the upper chamber [εις το υπερωιον] The upstairs or upper room It is possible, even probable, that this is the “large upper room” (ανωγεον μεγα anōgeon mega) of Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12. The Vulgate has coenaculum for both words. The word is used in the N.T. only in Acts. It was in a private house as in Luke 22:11 and not in the temple as Luke 24:53 might imply, “continually” (δια παντος dia pantos) these words probably meaning on proper occasions. [source]
What do the individual words in Mark 14:15 mean?
Andheyouwill showan upper roomlargehaving been furnished[and] readytherepreparefor us
Greek Commentary for Mark 14:15
Emphatic, and he himself. [source]
Anything above ground Perfect passive participle of στρωννυμι strōnnumi state of readiness. “Strewed with carpets, and with couches properly spread” (Vincent). [source]
Perfect passive participle of στρωννυμι strōnnumi state of readiness. “Strewed with carpets, and with couches properly spread” (Vincent). [source]
The Greek is more emphatic. “He will himself show you.” So Rev. Probably the owner of the house was a disciple. [source]
Lit., strewed with carpets, and with couches properly spread. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 14:15
See on Mark 14:15. [source]
See on Mark 14:15. Wyc., strewed.sa40 [source]
Και Kai and εκεινος ekeinos (χρασις crasis) where Mark 14:15 has και αυτος kai autos Literally, “And that one.” See note on Mark for rest of the verse. [source]
The upstairs or upper room It is possible, even probable, that this is the “large upper room” (ανωγεον μεγα anōgeon mega) of Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12. The Vulgate has coenaculum for both words. The word is used in the N.T. only in Acts. It was in a private house as in Luke 22:11 and not in the temple as Luke 24:53 might imply, “continually” (δια παντος dia pantos) these words probably meaning on proper occasions. [source]