And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

MARK 14:6KJV
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Mark 14:6 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:6 mean?

Mark 14:6 shows Jesus telling others to stop criticizing a woman for her actions, saying she has done something good for him. Jesus defends her, making it clear that her deed is valuable and should not be condemned.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to some of his disciples after a woman anoints him with expensive perfume. The disciples are upset, thinking the perfume should have been sold to help the poor, but Jesus steps in to protect her from their harsh words. He recognizes her act as a meaningful and honorable gesture toward him, not a waste.

The Greek behind Mark 14:6

  • ἄφετε (aphete, "Let...alone"): This word is a command meaning "leave her alone" or "let her be." Jesus is firmly telling the others to stop bothering her, showing his authority and care.
  • καλὸν (kalon, "good"): The Greek word used here means not just "good," but also "noble" or "beautiful." Jesus is saying her action is not just acceptable, but praiseworthy and admirable.
  • ἔργον (ergon, "work"): This word means "deed" or "action." Jesus calls what she did a "good work," highlighting that her choice was active and intentional, not accidental.

Why Mark 14:6 matters

  • Mark 14:6 clears up the misunderstanding that the woman's act was wasteful or misguided; Jesus himself calls it a "good work."
  • The verse shows Jesus valuing personal devotion and honoring acts of love, even when others do not understand them.
  • This moment sets the stage for Jesus to explain the deeper meaning of her action in the verses that follow, connecting it to his coming death and burial.

Where else these words appear

“ye” Greek G3930 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
  • Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
  • Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

“ye” Greek G2873 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

“wrought” Greek G2038 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
  • Acts 13:41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
  • Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

“me” Greek G1691 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
  • John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
  • John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;