Matthew 26:8

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 26:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Matthew 26:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But when his disciples saw it, etc.] What the woman did, what a costly box of ointment it was, and with what profusion she used it, they had indignation: Mark says, “within themselves”, (<411404>Mark 14:4); either among themselves, or their indignation was secret in their breasts; their resentment was private, though it might be betrayed by their looks, and afterwards showed itself in words. This indignation was either at the woman, for the Evangelist Mark observes, that “they murmured against her”, (<411405>Mark 14:5), that she should act such an imprudent part, and be guilty of such extravagance; or at Christ himself, for suffering such an action to be done unto him; for so the Syriac…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His disciples seeing it, had indignation, saying - It seems several of them were angry, and spoke, though none so warmly as Judas Iscariot. Matthew 26:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“26:8 The disciples were indignant: John 12:4 indicates that Judas Iscariot incited this reaction.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they: Sa1 17:28, Sa1 17:29; Ecc 4:4; Mar 14:4; Joh 12:4-6 To: Exo 5:17; Amo 8:5; Hag 1:2-4; Mal 1:7-10, Mal 1:13 Matthew 26:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification