John 12:5

5 Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?

John 12:5 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:5

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence
Meaning Roman pence, one of which is, of the value of our money, seven pence halfpenny; so that three hundred pence amount to nine pounds seven shillings and six pence:

and given to the poor?
this was his pretence, and with which he covered himself; his uneasiness was, because it was not sold, and the money put into his hands, as appears by what follows.

John 12:5 In-Context

3 Mary therefore, having taken a pound of ointment of pure nard of great price, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4 One of his disciples therefore, Judas [son] of Simon, Iscariote, who was about to deliver him up, says,

5 Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?

6 But he said this, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and had the bag, and carried what was put into [it].

7 Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to have kept this for the day of my preparation for burial;