John 12:5-6
“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Judas’s question, while seemingly charitable towards the poor, is actually a clever manipulation. He uses the substantial value of the ointment to mask his true motive: his greed, and the opportunity he lost to steal that money for himself.
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany and is being honored with a banquet, where Mary, Lazarus's sister, anoints his feet with expensive ointment. Judas Iscariot, acting as treasurer for the disciples, objects to this lavish display, questioning why the costly perfume wasn't sold to help the poor instead. John reveals that Judas's objection wasn't about charity, but stemmed from his thievery and a desire for the money.
Judas's sharp question, "Why wasn't this ointment sold...?" echoes through the ages. Was this act pure extravagance, or something far more profound?
When Mary poured out expensive spikenard on Jesus' feet, Judas saw only waste. He calculated its monetary value—around 300 denarii, a year's wages for a laborer—and immediately suggested it should have been sold and given to the poor. This highlights a common human tendency: to measure everything by its practical, earthly value.
Jesus, however, saw differently. He rebuked Judas, not by arguing the cost, but by reframing the act: "Leave her alone. ... She has kept this for the day of my burial." (John 12:7). This wasn't about the money; it was about a divinely appointed moment of honoring Jesus in anticipation of His death.
Mary's act wasn't a waste; it was an investment in the sacred. It was a profound expression of love and worship, an acknowledgment of Jesus' impending sacrifice, and a prophetic anointing for His burial. Sometimes, what looks like waste to the world is a sacred act of devotion in God's eyes.
Judas feigned concern for the poor, but the Bible reveals a much darker motive behind his question. What does this tell us about masked sin?
The Gospel writer John doesn't let Judas's critique stand on its own. He immediately exposes the traitor's true heart: "He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it" (John 12:6).
This is a stark portrayal of hypocrisy. Judas weaponizes a virtue—care for the poor—to mask his greed. His objection wasn't about social justice; it was about personal loss. The expensive ointment represented an opportunity for him to steal from the communal funds, and Mary's act had essentially removed that potential gain.
This reveals a critical spiritual truth: sin often disguises itself. Covetousness, in Judas's case, put on the mask of philanthropy. It’s a powerful warning to examine our own motives, especially when we find ourselves criticizing others' actions under the guise of righteousness.
Understand the original words
dēnarion · Greek Noun
A Roman silver coin representing a day's wage for an average laborer, often used in parables and historical accounts to represent standard economic value.
ptōchos · Greek Adjective/Noun
Those who lack material resources and are often subject to social and economic oppression. The Bible contains a strong mandate for the care of the poor, reflecting God’s heart for the vulnerable.
kleptēs · Greek Noun
A person who steals or takes the property of others dishonestly; in a biblical context, it denotes a lack of integrity and a heart that prioritizes personal gain over God's commands.
The immense value of the ointment highlights the disciples' differing priorities: Judas, driven by greed, saw a financial loss, while Mary's extravagant act was a profound expression of love and prophetic understanding of Jesus' impending death.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry in Judea
Jesus conducted His public ministry, drawing crowds and performing miracles, which attracted both devoted followers and increasing opposition from religious leaders.
Shortly before the Passover
Jesus Arrives in Bethany
Jesus came to Bethany, near Jerusalem, six days before the Passover feast, staying at the home of his resurrected friend, Lazarus.
The same evening— this verse
Dinner and Anointing at Bethany
A dinner was held in Jesus' honor, where Mary, Lazarus' sister, poured a costly vial of pure nard on Jesus' feet, anointing Him in preparation for His burial.
Immediately following
Judas' Accusation and Jesus' Defense
Judas Iscariot objected to the expense, suggesting the ointment be sold and given to the poor, but Jesus rebuked him, stating the act was a preparation for His burial.
This passage describes the disciples' indignation at Mary's act, echoing Judas's sentiment in John 12:5. It highlights the contrast between extravagant devotion and practical charity, a tension present in both accounts.
Deuteronomy 15:11This Old Testament verse directly states, 'For the poor will never cease out of the land.' Jesus quotes this in John 12:8, addressing Judas's complaint by affirming the enduring need of the poor, contrasting it with the limited time he has with them.
2 Corinthians 8:9Paul writes about Jesus becoming poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich. This passage frames Jesus' sacrifice not as a loss, but as the ultimate act of generosity, providing a theological backdrop to Mary's costly offering that Judas questions.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse warns that 'the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.' It directly illuminates Judas's motive, as the commentaries suggest his concern for the money was not for the poor but for personal gain, revealing a heart consumed by greed.
vincentJohn 12:5: "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?"
Three hundred pence (τριακοσίων δηναρίων)Or three hundred denarii. On the denarius, see on Matthew 20:2. Mark says more than three hundred pence. Three hundred denarii would be about fifty dollars, or twice that amount if we reckon according to the purchasing power.The poor (πτωχοῖς)See on Matthew 5:3. No article: to poor people.
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…
Judas’s question, while seemingly charitable towards the poor, is actually a clever manipulation. He uses the substantial value of the ointment to mask his true motive: his greed, and the opportunity he lost to steal that money for himself.
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany and is being honored with a banquet, where Mary, Lazarus's sister, anoints his feet with expensive ointment. Judas Iscariot, acting as treasurer for the disciples, objects to this lavish display, questioning why the costly perfume wasn't sold to help the poor instead. John reveals that Judas's objection wasn't about charity, but stemmed from his thievery and a desire for the money.
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany and is being honored with a banquet, where Mary, Lazarus's sister, anoints his feet with expensive ointment. Judas Iscariot, acting as treasurer for the disciples, objects to this lavish display, questioning why the costly perfume wasn't sold to help the poor instead. John reveals that Judas's objection wasn't about charity, but stemmed from his thievery and a desire for the money.
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Later that week
The Plot to Kill Lazarus
The chief priests, upon seeing Lazarus alive, plotted not only to kill Jesus but also Lazarus, due to the sign he represented.
Following week
Passover Feast and Betrayal
Jesus celebrated the Passover feast with His disciples in Jerusalem, during which He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and subsequently arrested.
"“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into…" — Judas’s question, while seemingly charitable towards the poor, is actually a clever manipulation. He uses the substantial value of the ointment to mask his true motive: his greed, and the opportunity…
