Mark 14:3

ὄντος αὐτοῦ, κατακειμένου αὐτοῦ : two genitive absolute clauses whereof Weiss makes critical use (Marcus-Evang.); in which Schanz sees simply an instance of Mk.'s helplessness in style. The first indicates generally the time and place, the second the position of Jesus (at table) when the woman approached Him (ἦλθεν). ἀλάβαστρον. Vide in Mt. πιστικῆς : a puzzling word recurring in the fourth Gospel (Mark 12:3). It has been variously explained. (1) As one of Mk.'s Latinisms = spicatus, turned into πιστικὸς like Sextarius into ξέστης (Mark 7:4). In favour of this view is the Vulgate nardi spicati reproduced in “spikenard” (spiked-nard), A. V [126], and it has been adopted by Wetstein, Grotius, Rosenmüller, etc. (2) As meaning liquid, potable, from πίω, πιπίσκω, Fritzsche and others. (3) As derived from the name of a place whence the ointment was obtained, Augustine; also Bengel: “Pista urbs Indorum in regione Cabul; quâ ex regione pleraque aromata jam tum petebantur”. But he adds: “Ex nomine proprio potius formaretur πισταῖος ”. (4) As = πιστός, trusty, genuine, to distinguish it from spurious imitations which abounded (Pliny, H. N., xii., 26). Instances of the use of the word in this sense are cited from Greek authors, e.g., from Artemidorus, ii., 32: πιστικὴ γυνὴ καὶ οἰκουρὸς (vide Beza and Kypke). The choice lies between (1) and (4); most modern commentators (following Theophy. and Euthy.) adopt the latter. The following account of nard from Tristram's Natural History of the Bible is interesting: “An Indian product procured from the Nardostachys Jatamansi, growing on the Himalaya Mountains in Nepaul and Bhotan. It was well known to the Greeks and Romans, and is mentioned by classic authors as derived from the hills on the banks of the Ganges. One peculiarity of the plant which is mentioned by old writers aids in its identification, viz., that it has many hairy spikes shooting from one root. These shaggy stems are caused by the root leaves shooting up from the ground and surrounding the stalk. It is from this part of the plant that the perfume is procured and prepared simply by drying it.” πολυτελοῦς (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:4), dear, hence the temptation to produce cheap counterfeits. συντρίψασα : she broke the narrow-necked vase that the contents might be poured out quickly, not drop by drop, and perhaps that the vessel used for so sacred a purpose might never be employed again (Kloster., Weiss, Schanz, etc.).

[126] Authorised Version.