NARD
Aromatic plant, in Heb. “nerd” (Song 4:13, 14); An ointment was made, called in Gr. “nards” (Mark 14:3). Spikenard is, without a doubt, “Nardostachys jatamansi”, from the Valerianaceae family, a plant that grows in the Himalayas between 3,300 and 5,100 meters high.
This vegetable soon became an article of commerce, since the Hindus used it in medicine and perfumery since ancient times. The distant origin of spikenard justified its high price.
The perfume of pure nard that a woman poured on the head of the Lord Jesus was worth more than 300 denarii (Mark 14:3, 5).
In Mr. 14:3 and Jn. 12:3, the term nard is followed by the adjective Gr. “pistikos”, plausible variant of “pistos”, pure; It is unlikely that it derives from “pistos”, liquid. Certain exegetes think that this adjective indicates the place from which this variety of tuberose came.