S – She has done what she could; she has anointed my body in advance for burial. ⁹ 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.” 

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them

Mark 14:8–10 CSB

O – Commentary:

In Jewish tradition kings (including, by definition, the *Messiah, or “anointed one”), priests and others had to be anointed for service; one anointed even honored guests. But Jesus here stresses a different kind of anointing, which the woman undoubtedly had not intended: anointing a body for burial. Long-necked flasks appear in many first-century tombs near Jerusalem, suggesting that others lavished such expensive ointments on their deceased loved ones. This woman’s act of love was the only anointing Jesus would receive (16:1).

14:9. This commemoration does not mean that every individual would know about her; similar *hyperbole appears for writers or heroes whose memories would be preserved in epics by or about them.

14:10–11. Betrayal by a *disciple would shame the teacher, and would be seen as an especially heinous violation of trust. Judas could easily find contacts for the chief priests, although they would not have been accessible to him had his mission been less in line with their plans. His mercenary motives would have appeared as vile to ancient readers as they do to us, and they contrast with the behavior of the unnamed woman of 14:1–9

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Two people who will go down in history and remembered for their actions on the same night.  One brought honor to the Messiah and prepared him for his death.  The other brought shame and sent him to his death.  Both had direct access to Jesus and their impact was historical.  We also have access to Christ and will make an impact…what will it look like?  How will it be remembered?

R – Heavenly Father, you are God.  We want to know you more intimately so we can share your character and love others.  We want to make an impact in the lives of others that draw them to you.  Our legacy is not our fame but the lives that were changed in relationship with you.