John 12:5

5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins 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 took a whole pint of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard, poured it on Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The sweet smell of the perfume filled the whole house.
4 One of Jesus' disciples, Judas Iscariot - the one who was going to betray him - said,
5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?"
6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would help himself from it.
7 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone! Let her keep what she has for the day of my burial.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. silver coins: [See 6.7.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.