Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?” Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.
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John 12:4-6 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?” Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”
Parallel Translations
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Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,
“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?”
Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.
-
Then sayde one of his disciples name Iudas Iscariot Simons sonne which afterwarde betrayed him:
why was not this oyntmet solde for thre hondred pence and geve to the poore?
This sayde he not that he cared for the pooer: but because he was a thefe and kept the bagge and bare that which was geven.
Show all 3 translations
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Then said one of his disciples, euen Iudas Iscariot Simons sonne, which should betray him:
Why was not this oyntment sold for three hundreth pence, and giuen to the poore?
Nowe he said this, not that he cared for the poore, but because hee was a theefe, and had the bagge, and bare that which was giuen.
Cross-references (36)
- Psalms 50:16-20 (v6) But to the wicked God says, “What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips, since you hate…
- John 13:29 (v6) For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give…
- Matthew 10:4 (v4) Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
- James 2:6 (v6) But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts?
- Luke 12:33 (v5) Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that…
Show all 36 cross-references
- Luke 18:22 (v5) When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. Then you…
- James 2:2 (v6) For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in,
- 1 Samuel 17:28-29 (v4) Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? With…
- 2 Kings 5:20-27 (v6) But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands…
- Matthew 26:8-9 (v5) But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given…
- Mark 14:4-5 (v5) But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted? For this might have been sold for more…
- John 13:2 (v4) During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,
- John 18:2-5 (v4) Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. Judas then, having taken a detachment of…
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 (v4) Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
- Malachi 1:10-13 (v5) “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you,”…
- Luke 6:16 (v4) Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.
- Luke 6:41 (v5) Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
- John 6:70-71 (v4) Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it…
- John 13:26 (v4) Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of…
- 1 Corinthians 6:10 (v6) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom.
- Galatians 2:10 (v6) They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do.
- Exodus 5:8 (v5) You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle.…
- Exodus 5:17 (v5) But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to Yahweh.’
- 2 Kings 12:14-15 (v6) for they gave that to those who did the work, and repaired Yahweh’s house with it. Moreover they didn’t demand an accounting from the men…
- Ezra 8:24-34 (v6) Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them, and weighed to them…
- Psalms 14:1 (v6) The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They have done abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.
- Proverbs 29:7 (v6) The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
- Ezekiel 33:31 (v6) They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their…
- Amos 8:5 (v5) Saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the…
- John 6:7 (v5) Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may receive a little.”
- Matthew 20:2 (v5) When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
- Matthew 21:13 (v6) He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”
- John 10:8-10 (v6) All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be…
- John 10:13 (v6) The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep.
- 2 Corinthians 8:19-21 (v6) Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord…
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (v6) Abstain from every form of evil.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (14 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv4–6 4. One of his disciples, therefore, saith. Next follows…
4. One of his disciples, therefore, saith. Next follows the murmuring of Judas, which Matthew (Matthew 16:8) attributes to the disciples indiscriminately, and Mark (Mark 14:4) to some of them; but it is customary in Scripture to apply to many, by way of synecdoche, what belongs to one or to a few. Yet I think it is probable, that the murmuring proceeded from Judas alone, and that the rest were induced to give him their assent, as murmurings, by fanning a flame, easily kindle in us a variety of dispositions; and more especially, as we are too prone to form unfavorable judgments, slanders are readily embraced by us. But the credulity which the Spirit of God reproves in the Apostles is a warning to us not to be too easy and credulous in listening to calumnious statements.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v5 An horrible example in Judas of a mind blinded…
An horrible example in Judas of a mind blinded with covetousness, and yet pretending godliness.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv4–6 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot,…
4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
Ver. 4. Then said one of his disciples] St Matthew tells us, that all the disciples said thus. Judas was of so great esteem and authority among them, that what he did they are all said to do. So cunningly he had carried his conspiracy, that they all suspected themselves rather than Judas; every one said, Is it I?
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv4–6 Then saith one of his disciples,.... Who had no…
Then saith one of his disciples,.... Who had no true love for his master, was an hypocrite, and a covetous person:
Judas Iscariot; so called, to distinguish him from another Judas, an apostle; See Gill on Mat 10:4.
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Simon's son; this is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; See Gill on Joh 13:2;
which should betray him; and so he did; this was pre-determined by God, foretold in prophecy, and foreknown by Christ; and is observed here, to show the temper and character of the man.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv5–6 Verse 5. Three hundred pence] Or denarii: about 9£.…
Verse 5. Three hundred pence] Or denarii: about 9£. 13s. 9d. of our money; reckoning the denarius at 7 3/4d. One of my MSS. of the Vulgate (a MS. of the 14th century) reads, cccc denarii.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v6 Judas did not then begin to be wicked: he…
Judas did not then begin to be wicked: he followed Christ, not in heart, but in body only. This our Master tolerated, to give us a lesson to tolerate the bad, rather than divide the body. (St. Augustine, in Joan. tract. 50.)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv4–6 Judas . . . who should betray him--For the…
Judas . . . who should betray him--For the reason why this is here mentioned, see on Mar 14:11.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv4–6 4. Should betray him—Which was about to betray him.
4. Should betray him—Which was about to betray him.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–6 4. Then saith, &c.] Rather, But Judas Iscariot, &c.…
4. Then saith, &c.] Rather, But Judas Iscariot, &c. The best authorities omit ‘Simon’s son.’
one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot] S. Mark says quite indefinitely, ‘some,’ S. Matthew, ‘his disciples.’ Each probably states just what he knew; S. Mark that the remark was made; S. Matthew that it came from the group of disciples; S. John that Judas made it, and why he made it. S. John was perhaps anxious that the unworthy grumbling should be assigned to the right person.
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which should betray] Comp. Joh_6:71.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv4–6 (4) Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot.—Comp.…
(4) Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot.—Comp. Notes on Joh_6:70-71. St. Matthew tells us that the question was asked by “the disciples;” St. Mark, that it was asked by “certain persons;” St. John remembers that it was Judas who spoke, and he remembers that his words were characteristic of the man (Joh_12:6). He implies by the form in which he relates these words, that he spoke for himself, and that the others did not join in his feeling.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv4–5 But Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, who…
But Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, who was about to betray him, said. The speaker here is singled out by name. Matthew refers the speech to the disciples generally, in whom the suggestion of Judas had stirred up (without guile or blame on their part) a not unnatural inquiry. Mark says "some" murmured to themselves, "Why this waste?" (loss, destruction). John (without the malice which Renan has attributed to the writer) mentions the source of the suggestion, "Judas Iscariot, Simon"s son." The word Simwnov , contained in T.R., is omitted here in the best texts. The fact that he was the traitor, being one of the well-known and awful events of the gospel history when John wrote some half a century later, might well be introduced by the evangelist, with no other than a purely historical motive.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v4 The objection of Judas:
The objection of Judas:
v. 4. Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray Him,
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v. 5. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
v. 6. This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
v. 7. Then said Jesus, Let her alone; against the day of My burying hath she kept this.
v. 8. For the poor always ye have with you; but Me ye have not always.
When Mary gave the wonderful evidence of her devotion to the Lord, all the disciples were more or less taken aback, Mat 26:8. Their frugal manner of living immediately scented useless extravagance. But there was one in their midst, Judas of Kerioth, the son of Simon, who afterwards betrayed the Lord, that voiced his objections in no uncertain terms. The value of the ointment was three hundred denarii (fifty dollars or somewhat more). Devoid of all sentiment and real feeling as he was, Judas demanded why the ointment had not been sold for this sum, in order that the money might be given to the poor. But his apparent solicitude for the poor people was all sham, intended to mask the real interest which he felt, that of getting the money into his clutches. The poor were nothing to him; to them he did not devote one moment of anxious thought. Judas was a thief. As treasurer of the little band of disciples he carried the wallet for them all, had complete charge of all moneys. Since a system of auditing was hardly to be thought of, Judas could easily abstract small sums from time to time. And here he was obliged to see a splendid opportunity lost. Note: Judas is a warning example for all times. He undoubtedly had been a simple believer in Christ when first he was called to join the little band of disciples. But the temptations connected with the office which was entrusted to him proved too much for his endurance. His love of money, his covetousness, came to the front; he began to steal, and faith fled from his heart. But with faith gone and avarice reigning in the heart, it was an easy matter for the devil to take possession of Judas to such an extent that he betrayed the Savior. Jesus did not wish to expose Judas at this time, and therefore is satisfied with taking Mary’s part and defending her action. He explained that the action of the woman was a part of the preparation for His burial, which was destined soon to take place. Far from censuring her, therefore, they should rather have commended her highly. And so far as the point raised by Judas was concerned: the poor they always had with them. There was always opportunity to do good to these unfortunates that were in destitute circumstances. But the presence of Jesus would soon be removed from them; there was but little time left to give Him special evidences of love and devotion. Thus this apparent extravagance, being occasional only, is fully justified. And the saying of Christ finds its application even today. It is self-evident that a congregation will take care of the poor in its own midst; but after this has been provided for, a little luxury in the interest of beautifying the services of the Lord is by no means displeasing to Him.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 the one who would betray him
the one who would betray him
"the one who later enabled Jesus' enemies to seize him"
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Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?
This is a rhetorical question. You can translate it as a strong statement. AT: "This perfume could have been sold for three hundred denarii and the money could have been given to the poor!" (See: Rhetorical Question)
three hundred denarii
You can translate this as a numeral. AT: "300 denarii" (See: Numbers)
denarii
A denarius was the amount of silver that a common laborer could earn in one day of work. (See: Biblical Money)
Now he said this ... would steal from what was put in it
John explains why Judas asked the question about the poor. If your language has a way of indicating background information, you can use it here. (See: Background Information)
he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief
"he said this because he was a thief. He did not care about the poor"
translationWords
Judas Iscariot
disciple
betray
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v5 12:5 a year’s wages: Judas may have been exaggerating,…
12:5 a year’s wages: Judas may have been exaggerating, but Mary’s sacrifice was certainly very costly.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.