New Testament · Gospel

John 12:6

The Hour Has Come

Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it. John 12:6 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

John 12:6, in plain English

John explains the truth: Judas didn't care about the poor at all. He was a thief who helped himself to the money bag he was supposed to manage.

Why it's here

The mask comes off. Judas' concern for the poor was really concern for his own wallet. He wanted the money in the bag so he could steal from it.

Who's speaking

The narrator exposes Judas' true character and motive.

Where it sits in the story

John doesn't sugarcoat it: Judas was a thief. His problem with Mary wasn't her extravagance—it was that the money bypassed the bag he was pilfering.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

John exposes Judas' true character: he was a 'kleptēs' (thief) who, as keeper of the communal money bag (glōssokomon), regularly embezzled funds. His concern was never for the poor.

Language and setting

The term 'glōssokomon' originally meant a case for storing reed mouthpieces of musical instruments, then came to mean a money box. John's editorial comment strips away Judas' pretense entirely.

Voice

The narrator reveals Judas' hypocrisy, exposing his charitable concern as a cover for theft.

Significance

John pulls back the curtain on Judas' character: the man who criticized Mary's 'waste' was himself stealing from the common fund. His objection to extravagant giving was rooted in frustrated greed.

In context

John 12:4–8

4But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,

5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

6Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.

7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.

8The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”

Read all of John 12 — Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, the crowds wave palm branches, and Jesus announces that his hour has finally arrived.

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