Matthew Chapter 26 verse 8 Holy Bible

ASV Matthew 26:8

But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
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BBE Matthew 26:8

But when the disciples saw it they were angry, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
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DARBY Matthew 26:8

But the disciples seeing it became indignant, saying, To what end [was] this waste?
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KJV Matthew 26:8

But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
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WBT Matthew 26:8


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WEB Matthew 26:8

But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste?
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YLT Matthew 26:8

And having seen `it', his disciples were much displeased, saying, `To what purpose `is' this waste?
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 8. - When his disciples saw it. St. John states that the objection came originally from Judas. Doubtless, when it was once made, many concurred in it, not, indeed, from Judas's selfish motive (John 12:6), but because they did not clearly apprehend the Divinity of Christ, nor the unspeakable sacredness of that body which was about to be the instrument of man's redemption. To what purpose is this waste (a)pw/leia)? Wordsworth notes that Judas is called υἱὸς ἀπωλείας (John 17:12). A fitting question truly for him to ask! The objectors saw no practical usefulness in the expenditure of this costly substance. If it was thought proper to show respect to their Master, a much inferior oil would have equally effected this purpose, or a few drops of the more precious unguent would have sufficed. So nowadays one hears complaints of money being expended in the rich decoration of churches, etc., when there are starving multitudes whom it would have relieved. But God himself has sanctioned the use of precious materials and of exquisite workmanship in temples built in his honour, and in the accessories of his public worship; the interests of the poor are not overlooked in such expenditure; they who give of their substance for such purposes are just those who feel all their responsibilities, and know that they serve Christ in ministering to his needy members.

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) When his disciples saw it.--There is a singular narrowing of the limits in the three narratives. St. Mark reports that "some had indignation;" St. John (John 12:4), as knowing who had whispered the first word of blame, fixes the uncharitable judgment on "Judas Iscariot, Simon's son." The narrow, covetous soul of the Traitor could see nothing in the lavish gift but a "waste" (literally, perdition) that was matter for reproach. There is something almost terribly suggestive in the fact that our Lord repeats the self-same word when He describes Judas as a "son of perdition" (John 17:12). He had wasted that which was more precious than the ointment of spikenard. He wondered that his Master should accept such an offering. His indignation, partly real, partly affected, was perhaps honestly shared by some of his fellow-disciples, probably by those of the third group, with whom he came most into contact, and of whom we may well think as having a less glowing love, and narrower sympathies than the others.