Bible Strands
Matthew 26:8
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The disciples react to a woman pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ head during a meal. They voice their objection directly to Him immediately after witnessing the act.
The words — ἠγανάκτησαν (ēganaktēsan) translates literally as “became indignant,” describing the disciples’ sharp reaction to the visible act. The preposition εἰς (eis) introduces their question, literally meaning “for what” or “why.”
The thread — This moment of indignant questioning appears in the parallel accounts of Mark 14:4 and John 12:4, where disciples similarly challenge the perceived extravagance. The tension between costly devotion and practical provision also echoes the administrative complaints recorded in Exodus 5:17.
Why it lands — The text states that the disciples perceived the perfume as a squandered resource before any defense is offered. It forces a reader to evaluate whether practical efficiency should override acts of devotion and to decide what constitutes waste versus purposeful offering.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Cross-references
- John 12:4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,
- Mark 14:4 Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?
- Exodus 5:17 “You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
- 1 Samuel 17:28 Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!”
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
- Amos 8:5 asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.
- Haggai 1:2 that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’”
- Malachi 1:7 By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible.
- Malachi 1:13 You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD.