As he sat at meat (κατακειμενου αυτου). Matthew 26:7 uses ανακειμενου, both words meaning reclining (leaning down or up or back) and in the genitive absolute. See on Matthew 26:6 in proof that this is a different incident from that recorded in Luke 7:36-50. See on Matthew 26:6-13 for discussion of details.

Spikenard (ναρδου πιστικης). This use of πιστικος with ναρδος occurs only here and in John 12:3. The adjective is common enough in the older Greek and appears in the papyri also in the sense of genuine, unadulterated, and that is probably the idea here. The word spikenard is from the Vulgate nardi spicati, probably from the Old Latin nardi pistici.

Brake (συντριψουσα). Only in Mark. She probably broke the narrow neck of the vase holding the ointment.