978 B
Connecting Statement:
Though some were angry that the oil was used to anoint Jesus, Jesus says that the woman has anointed his body for burial before he will die.
Simon the leper
This man previously had leprosy but was no longer ill. This is a different man than Simon Peter and Simon the Zealot. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
he was reclining at the table
In Jesus's culture, when people gathered to eat, they reclined on their sides, propping themselves up on pillows beside a low table.
alabaster jar
This is a jar made from alabaster. Alabaster is a very expensive yellow-white stone. Alternate translation: "beautiful white stone jar" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-unknown)
of very expensive perfume, which was pure nard
"that contained expensive, fragrant perfume called nard." Nard is a very expensive, sweet-smelling oil used to make perfume. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-unknown)
on his head
"on Jesus's head"