John 12:4

4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready 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 Lazarus and his sisters invited Jesus to dinner at their home. Martha served. Lazarus was one of those sitting at the table with them.

3 Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus' feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house.

4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, even then getting ready to betray him, said,

5 "Why wasn't this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces."

6 He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.