John 12:5

“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii (300 days wages), and given to the poor?”

One Unity Resource Bible

In The King James Version

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

In Context

4Then Judas Iscariot [Praised Dagger-man], + 12:4 Judas Kirot; it is debatable the meaning of his name. K'riot is the Hebrew spelling. If the name K'riot is derived from the Latin word sicarius, meaning [dagger-man], then Judas is likely part of the Zealots political party who opposed Roman imperialism, a near Anarchist sect. (Luke 22:3) says K'riot is a surname, an addition to Judas’ name, therefore it could be a family name, geographic location, or a political party, or for some personal reason. Simeon [Hearing]’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,

6Now 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.

Read all of John 12

Cross References

Exodus 5:8The number of the bricks, which they made before, you require from them. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’

Matthew 26:8But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste?

Mark 14:4But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted?

Luke 12:33Sell 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 does not fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.

Matthew Henry on John 12:2-12

Mary Anoints Christ's Feet; Hypocrisy of Judas; Indignation of the Chief Priests. 1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study John 12:5