ἠδύνατο γὰρ τοῦτο τὸ μύρον πραθῆναι ἐπάνω τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ δοθῆναι τοῖς πτωχοῖς· καὶ ἐνεβριμῶντο αὐτῇ. (Mark 14:5)
The Grammatical Voice of Economic Critique
In Mark 14:5, we encounter a moment charged with tension—devotion misjudged as waste. The grammar of this verse features two striking passive infinitives, a weighty monetary reference, and a final emotional verb that echoes with rebuke. The structure reflects not only economic reasoning but also reveals how linguistic choices can dramatize the blindness of human judgment when faced with divine acts of love.
ἠδύνατο… πραθῆναι – “It could have been sold”
The opening clause begins with:
- ἠδύνατο – imperfect middle/passive indicative, 3rd person singular of δύναμαι, meaning “it was possible” or “it could have been”
- τοῦτο τὸ μύρον – “this ointment”; a demonstrative followed by a definite noun with article = emphasis and specificity
- πραθῆναι – aorist passive infinitive of πιπράσκω, “to be sold”
The passive voice here is crucial. The ointment isn’t being sold by someone specific—it is presented as an object that could have been the subject of action, stressing potential economic utility over relational intent.
ἐπάνω τριακοσίων δηναρίων – “for more than three hundred denarii”
- ἐπάνω – preposition meaning “over” or “more than,” governing the genitive
- τριακοσίων δηναρίων – genitive plural, denoting the price; a denarius was a day’s wage, making this a year’s salary
This clause captures the economic shock and further intensifies the disciples’ misunderstanding. The amount is real, but the valuation is misguided.
καὶ δοθῆναι τοῖς πτωχοῖς – “and given to the poor”
- δοθῆναι – aorist passive infinitive of δίδωμι, “to be given”
- τοῖς πτωχοῖς – dative plural, “to the poor”
Again, passive voice shifts focus from the agent to the action itself. The ointment could have passed hands—from an anonymous owner to the needy. This grammar underscores the loss of personal connection—a mechanized view of righteousness rather than a relational act of love.
καὶ ἐνεβριμῶντο αὐτῇ – “and they scolded her harshly”
- ἐνεβριμῶντο – imperfect middle indicative, 3rd person plural of ἐμβριμάομαι, meaning “to snort with anger,” “to scold,” “to express indignation”
- αὐτῇ – dative singular, referring to the woman
The imperfect tense paints a picture of ongoing displeasure. This wasn’t a momentary comment—it was a sustained and communal rebuke. Ironically, their moral outrage was misdirected, rebuking sacrificial love under the guise of piety.
Syntax that Rebukes the Reproachers
| Greek Expression | Grammatical Function | Insight |
|---|---|---|
| ἠδύνατο… πραθῆναι | Imperfect + passive infinitive | Highlights potentiality and missed opportunity |
| ἐπάνω τριακοσίων δηναρίων | Genitive of value | Communicates high monetary worth |
| δοθῆναι τοῖς πτωχοῖς | Passive infinitive + dative | Depersonalizes charity into hypothetical duty |
| ἐνεβριμῶντο αὐτῇ | Imperfect middle indicative | Conveys ongoing anger, masked as moral concern |
When Piety Misunderstands Worship
The grammar of Mark 14:5 reveals more than a quarrel over perfume. It exposes how the passive voice can veil agency and intention, turning sacrificial beauty into abstract utility. Jesus will later affirm the woman’s action, calling it a preparation for burial. But here, the passive infinitives paired with the imperfect indignation show us a caution: love must never be reduced to math.
When worship is poured out, not counted up, it testifies to a kingdom where devotion outweighs value, and where even misunderstood offerings become eternal memorials.
