John 12:5

5 Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarius 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 odour of the ointment.

4 Then said one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who should betray him,

5 Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarius 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 bag and would take from what was put therein.

7 Therefore Jesus said, Let her alone; against the day of my burying she has kept this;