John 12:4

4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about 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 gave a dinner for Him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.

3 Then Mary took a pound of fragrant oil-pure and expensive nard-anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. So the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

4 Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray Him), said,

5 "Why wasn't this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?"

6 He didn't say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.