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Mark 14:9
ESV And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
NIV Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.'
NASB Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the entire world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.'
CSB Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."
NLT I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.'
KJV Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

What does Mark 14:9 mean?

There are several different things going on here (Mark 14:3–8). People have gathered together to honor Jesus with a meal. The disciples have followed Him for three years, physically and spiritually, and are there as His companions. Unfortunately, they're mostly asserting their arrogance as important men by scolding a woman. Her crime, in their eyes, is "wasting" a small fortune on Jesus rather than giving that money to the poor.

Besides the obvious similarities in John 12:1–8, the scene is reminiscent of Mark 12:41–44. The grand temple stands as supposed testament of God's power and authority. There, as well, arrogant important men wander about, doing things to show their importance. Cultural standards of honor are performed and approved. And the disciples are in their place as Jesus' entourage.

None of these things particularly impress Jesus, certainly not the men who make a show of their position and beneficence. What draws His attention is a poor widow voluntarily and worshipfully giving her last two coins to her God. At the table, Jesus is struck by a woman humbly, sacrificially, and submissively worshiping her God. Neither woman is concerned with the cultural editorials around her. Their only goal is to take what they have and honor the One they follow. Their actions are not the gospel, but they are examples of what our response to the gospel should be.

In Judaism, memorials are very important. God ordained feast days (Exodus 12:14; 13:9), sacrifices (Leviticus 2:2; 5:12), and stones from the Jordan River (Joshua 4) as reminders of what God has done for the Israelites. The New Testament establishes only two interactive memorials for the church: baptism and the Lord's Supper. This woman's anointing of Jesus' head serves as an act of historical remembrance. Her service is forever established as a memorial for Jesus' crucifixion as the Passover Lamb.
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