John 12:5

5 Why was not this perfume traded for three hundred pence, and the money 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, taking a pound of perfumed oil of great value, put it on the feet of Jesus and made them dry with her hair: and the house became full of the smell of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was to give him up), said,

5 Why was not this perfume traded for three hundred pence, and the money given to the poor?

6 (He said this, not because he had any love for the poor; but because he was a thief, and, having the money-bag, took for himself what was put into it.)

7 Then Jesus said, Let her be. Let her keep what she has for the day of my death.