Lexical Summary polutelés: Costly, expensive, precious Original Word: πολυτελής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance costly, very precious, of great price. From polus and telos; extremely expensive -- costly, very precious, of great price. see GREEK polus see GREEK telos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom polus and telos Definition very costly NASB Translation costly (1), precious (1), very costly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4185: πολυτελήςπολυτελής, πολυτελές (πολύς, and τέλος cost) (from Herodotus down), precious; a. requiring great outlay, very costly: Mark 14:3; 1 Timothy 2:9. (Thucydides and following; the Sept.) b. excellent, of surpassing value (A. V. of great price): 1 Peter 3:4. ((Plato, others.)) Strong’s Greek 4185 (πολυτελής, polytelēs) appears three times in the New Testament to describe something “exceedingly valuable” or “very costly.” Each occurrence links material value with spiritual instruction, contrasting external expense with inner worth or sacrificial devotion. Scriptural Occurrences • Mark 14:3 — “While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on His head.” Theological Significance 1. Costly Worship: The Bethany anointing illustrates wholehearted devotion that spares no earthly cost when honoring the Lord. True worship values Christ above possessions. Historical and Cultural Background • Perfume of Pure Nard: Imported from the Himalayan region, nard was rare and could cost a laborer’s annual wage. Breaking the jar (Mark 14:3) rendered it single-use, underscoring total surrender. Practical Ministry Applications • Stewardship: Believers are encouraged to assess how resources can best honor Christ, balancing generosity with prudent care of family needs. Related Themes and Cross-References • Sacrificial Giving: 2 Samuel 24:24; Luke 21:1-4 Summary Polytelēs objects draw attention to the contrast between visible wealth and the invisible riches of faith. Whether poured out in worship or set aside in favor of modesty, that which is “very costly” finds its highest purpose when it magnifies the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Mark 14:3 Adj-GFSGRK: νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτελοῦς συντρίψασα τὴν NAS: vial of very costly perfume KJV: of spikenard very precious; and INT: of nard pure of great price having broken the 1 Timothy 2:9 Adj-DMS 1 Peter 3:4 Adj-NNS Strong's Greek 4185 |