John 12:4

4 Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that 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 And they made him a supper there: and Martha served. But Lazarus was one of them that were at table with him.

3 Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, 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 one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said:

5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence and given to the poor?

6 Now he said this not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief and, having the purse, carried the things that were put therein.