14:3 pure: Perhaps 'liquid.' The word is only found here and John 12:3, evidently a known kind of nard. It is by no means impossible it may be derived from the Latin spicatae, which was the best kind of nard; hence, doubtless, the English translation 'spikenard.' The sense is plain: that it was of the best and most precious kind. See Note, John 12:3.