John 12:4

4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was going to betray him) said,

John 12:4 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:4

Then saith one of his disciples
Who had no true love for his master, was an hypocrite, and a covetous person:

Judas Iscariot;
so called, to distinguish him from another Judas, an apostle; (See Gill on Matthew 10:4).

Simon's [son];
this is omitted in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; (See Gill on John 13:2);

which should betray him;
and so he did; this was pre-determined by God, foretold in prophecy, and foreknown by Christ; and is observed here, to show the temper and character of the man.

John 12:4 In-Context

2 So they made him a dinner there, and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of the ones reclining at table with him.

3 Then Mary took a pound of ointment of very valuable genuine nard [and] anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.

4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was going to betray him) said,

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

6 (Now he said this not because {he was concerned} about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, he used to steal what was put into [it].)