10 The word “expensive” is not in the Greek text but has been included to suggest a connection to the lengthy phrase “costly aromatic oil from pure nard” occurring earlier in v. 3. The author of Mark shortened this long phrase to just one word in Greek when repeated here, and the phrase “expensive ointment” used in the translation is intended as an abbreviated paraphrase.

In other versions

There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that?

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?

But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this perfume been wasted?

Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked.

But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil?

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

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