John 12:5

5 "Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence 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 Then Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son who was to betray Him, said,

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

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money bag and took what was put therein.

7 Then Jesus said, "Let her alone; against the day of My burying hath she kept this.