{A pound} (litran). Latin _libra_, late _Koin(825f) (Polybius,
Plutarch) word with weight of 12 ounces, in N.T. only here and
 19:39 . Mark ( Mr 14:3 ) and Matthew ( Mt 26:7 ) have alabaster
cruse. {Of ointment of spikenard} (murou nardou pistik(8873)). "Of
oil of nard." See already  11:2  for murou (also  Mt 26:7 ).
Nard is the head or spike of an East Indian plant, very fragrant.
Occurs also in  Mr 14:3 . Pistik(8873) here and in  Mr 14:3 
probably means genuine (pistikos, from pistos, reliable).
Only two instances in the N.T. {Very precious} (polutimou). Old
compound adjective (polus, much, 	im(885c)), in N.T. only here,
 Mt 13:46  1Pe 1:7 . Mark has polutelous (very costly). Matthew
( Mt 26:7 ) has here arutimou of weighty value (only N.T.
instance). {Anointed} ((886c)eipsen). First aorist active
indicative of aleiph(935c), old word ( Mr 16:1 ). {The feet} (	ous
podas). Mark ( Mr 14:3 ) and Matthew ( Mt 26:7 ) have "his
head." Why not both, though neither Gospel mentions both? The
Latin MS. _fuldensis_ and the Syriac Sinatic do give both head
and feet here. {Wiped} (exemaxen). First aorist active
indicative of ekmass(935c), old verb to wipe off already in  11:2  Lu 7:38,44 . {With her hair} (	ais thrixin aut(8873)). Instrumental
plural. It is this item that is relied on largely by those who
identify Mary of Bethany with the sinful woman in Luke 7 and with
Mary Magdalene. It is no doubt true that it was usually
considered immodest for a woman to wear her hair loose. But it is
not impossible that Mary of Bethany in her carefully planned
love-offering for Jesus on this occasion was only glad to throw
such a punctilio to the winds. Such an act on this occasion does
not brand her a woman of loose character. {Was filled with the
odour of the ointment} (epl(8872)(9374)h(8820)ek t(8873) osm(8873) tou murou).
Effective first aorist passive of pl(8872)o(935c) and a natural result.