[lnbjohnson]

Also Mark 14:3 .. 3 While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. 4 But some of those present expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.…

[Fiji Hill]

That perfume, pure spikenard oil, was very expensive. It came from India and would have been imported by sea, on a dangerous voyage through the Arabian and Red Seas, probably to the port of Berenice in Egypt. There were only a few months of the year during which prevailing winds would allow the voyage to be made.

Even today, spikenard oil costs about $25.00 for a half-ounce bottle.