John 12:4
But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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John intentionally highlights Judas not just as a betrayer, but as someone driven by greed, twisting a genuine act of devotion into an opportunity to criticize and steal. This detail exposes the stark contrast between true love for Jesus and the heart of a deceiver, even among those closest to Him.
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany and is honored with a dinner, where Mary anoints his feet with expensive perfume, a lavish act of devotion. Amidst this scene, Judas Iscariot objects, questioning the waste of money and suggesting it should have been given to the poor. John highlights that Judas spoke this not out of concern for the needy, but because he was a thief, foreshadowing his imminent betrayal.
Why does John immediately tell us Judas is about to betray Jesus? What does this reveal about John's purpose in writing?
It's striking, isn't it? John inserts a little parenthetical note right after introducing Judas: 'one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him)'. This isn't just a historical detail; it's a deliberate choice by the author.
John's Purpose:
Judas complains about wasting expensive perfume on Jesus. But was he really concerned about the poor?
Theologians and commentators have long puzzled over Judas's objection to Mary's anointing of Jesus. He frames his concern with a seemingly noble cause: the poor.
The Facade and the Reality:
Understand the original words
Ioudas Iscariōtēs · Greek Proper Noun
One of the twelve original disciples of Jesus who betrayed Him to the religious authorities for thirty pieces of silver. His name serves as a warning regarding the danger of proximity to the holy without genuine saving faith.
mathētēs · Greek Noun
Those who follow the teachings and example of a master; in the New Testament, it refers to the followers of Jesus, characterized by commitment, sacrifice, and the call to take up one's cross.
paradidōmi · Greek Verb
The act of delivering or handing over someone to enemies, specifically referring to Judas’s act of turning Jesus over to the authorities. It highlights the fulfillment of divine prophecy through human agency.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
Jesus attends a banquet in Bethany hosted by Martha, Lazarus, and Mary, where Mary anoints his feet with expensive perfume.
c. AD 30, shortly after anointing
Judas Iscariot's Treachery
Judas Iscariot, motivated by greed and hypocrisy, objects to the expensive anointing and secretly arranges to betray Jesus to the authorities.
Days later
The Last Supper
Jesus shares his final meal with his disciples in Jerusalem, instituting the Lord's Supper and predicting Judas' betrayal.
c. AD 30, Passover week
Jesus' Arrest
Judas leads temple guards and Roman soldiers to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, identifying him with a kiss.
c. AD 30, Passover week
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is tried, condemned, and crucified by Roman authorities during the Passover festival.
This passage also identifies Judas as a potential betrayer among the disciples, highlighting his deceptive nature even within the inner circle.
Matthew 26:14-16This account parallels Judas's motivation, showing him striking a deal with the chief priests to betray Jesus, revealing his pre-existing intent.
Luke 22:3-6This passage emphasizes Satan entering Judas, providing spiritual context for his betrayal and underscoring the internal struggle and external influence at play.
John 13:21-30Following this event, Jesus directly identifies his betrayer, connecting the actions and motivations seen here to the inevitable outcome of Judas's treachery.
Philippians 3:18-19This passage contrasts those whose 'end is destruction' and who 'have as their god their own desires' with the faithful, offering a theological perspective on Judas's self-serving actions.
barnesJohn 12:4: "Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,"
Which should betray him - Greek, "who was to betray him" - that is, who would do it.
henryJohn 12:1-11: "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead."
12:1-11 Christ had formerly blamed Martha for being troubled with much serving. But she did not leave off serving, as some, who when found fault with for going too far in one way, peevishly run too far another way; she still served, but within hearing of Christ's gracious words. Mary gave a token of love to Christ, who had given real tokens of his love to…
John intentionally highlights Judas not just as a betrayer, but as someone driven by greed, twisting a genuine act of devotion into an opportunity to criticize and steal. This detail exposes the stark contrast between true love for Jesus and the heart of a deceiver, even among those closest to Him.
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany and is honored with a dinner, where Mary anoints his feet with expensive perfume, a lavish act of devotion. Amidst this scene, Judas Iscariot objects, questioning the waste of money and suggesting it should have been given to the poor. John highlights that Judas spoke this not out of concern for the needy, but because he was a thief, foreshadowing his imminent betrayal.
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany and is honored with a dinner, where Mary anoints his feet with expensive perfume, a lavish act of devotion. Amidst this scene, Judas Iscariot objects, questioning the waste of money and suggesting it should have been given to the poor. John highlights that Judas spoke this not out of concern for the needy, but because he was a thief, foreshadowing his imminent betrayal.
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"But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said," — John intentionally highlights Judas not just as a betrayer, but as someone driven by greed, twisting a genuine act of devotion into an opportunity to criticize and steal. This detail exposes the star…
