Their afterknowledge gave them a true sense of the many things they might have done for Jesus expressive of the love and gratitude of their hearts, while they were near Him. When Jesus was no longer with them, and they felt indeed as sheep without a shepherd, they began to see how they might have shown Him attentions that would have brought gladness to His heart. They no longer cast blame upon Mary, but upon themselves. Oh, if they could have taken back their censuring, their presenting the poor as more worthy of the gift than was Christ! They felt the reproof keenly as they took from the cross the bruised body of their Lord.

Deres viden senere hen gav dem den rette følelse af, hvor meget de kunne have gjort for Jesus som udtryk for deres hjerters taknemmelighed og kærlighed, medens de var ham nær. Da Jesus ikke mere var hos dem og de i sandhed følte sig som får uden hyrde, begyndte de at indse, hvordan de kunne have vist ham en omsorg, der ville have glædet hans sjæl. De bebrejdede ikke mere Maria, men kun sig selv. Å, hvis de dog bare havde kunnet tilbagekalde deres kritik, deres fremhæven af, at de fattige var mere værdige til gaven end Kristus! De følte bebrejdelsen hårdt, da de løftede deres Herres sårede legeme ned fra korset.