John 12 5

John 12:5 kjv

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

John 12:5 nkjv

"Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

John 12:5 niv

"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."

John 12:5 esv

"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

John 12:5 nlt

"That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor."

John 12 verses

John 12 5 Meaning

John 12:5 records Judas Iscariot's rhetorical question, posed as a seemingly charitable concern for the poor. He questions why the very costly perfume, with which Mary had just anointed Jesus, was not sold for a significant sum of "three hundred denarii" and the proceeds distributed among the needy. This query served as a public critique of Mary's act of devotion, appearing to advocate for responsible financial management and aid to the underprivileged. However, as revealed in the subsequent verse, Judas's true motive was not genuine compassion but avarice, as he frequently stole from the common purse.

John 12 5 Context

This verse occurs during a dinner in Bethany at the home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had recently raised from the dead. This event takes place just six days before Passover, signaling Jesus' imminent crucifixion. Lazarus was present, Martha was serving, and Mary, with an extraordinary act of devotion, poured costly pure nard perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair (Jn 12:1-3). It is this extravagant display of worship and love that immediately precedes and prompts Judas Iscariot's indignant question in verse 5. The atmosphere is one of celebration for Lazarus's resurrection, anticipation for Passover, and looming opposition against Jesus from the Jewish religious leaders (Jn 12:9-11).

Historically and culturally, extravagant hospitality, including anointing with oil, was a sign of honor. However, Mary's act went beyond normal custom in its scale and cost. "Pure nard" (μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς) was an extremely expensive import, likely from India, often stored in a sealed alabaster flask. The proposed selling price of "three hundred denarii" (τριακοσίων δηναρίων) was an immense sum, equivalent to a laborer's annual wage, underscoring the preciousness of Mary's offering. The cultural imperative to care for the poor was deeply ingrained in Jewish society (Dt 15:7-8), making Judas's publicly stated concern for them sound righteous to any listening ear. This setup provides the perfect backdrop for exposing Judas's hypocrisy and highlighting the contrast between genuine spiritual devotion and superficial, self-serving piety.

John 12 5 Word analysis

• Why (διατί - diati): A direct and accusatory interrogative pronoun, expressing not merely curiosity but an explicit challenge and disapproval of Mary's action, framed as a rhetorical objection.
• was not sold: An implicit critical judgment on the current use of the ointment, implying a better, more practical, or ethical alternative. It is passive, suggesting that such a transaction should have been initiated.
• this ointment (τὸ μύρον τοῦτο - to myron touto): Refers to the "very costly perfume of pure nard" (μύρου νάρδου πιστικῆς πολυτίμου - myrou nardou pistikēs polytimou) detailed in John 12:3. "Pistikēs" indicates either 'genuine/pure' or 'liquid/drinkable', emphasizing its authenticity and high value, further solidifying the high cost of Mary's sacrifice.
• for three hundred denarii (τριακοσίων δηναρίων - triakosión dēnariōn): This specific sum signifies a year's wages for an average working man (cf. Mt 20:2, which shows a denarius was a day's wage). It represents a truly significant, even extravagant, amount, underscoring the material value wasted, according to Judas's perspective. Mark 14:5 confirms this approximate valuation.
• and given: The conjunctive "and" connects the proposed action of selling with the subsequent act of distribution, presenting a complete 'alternative plan'.
• to the poor (τοῖς πτωχοῖς - tois ptōchois): Denotes those who are genuinely impoverished and in need. Judas invokes the common, deeply held Jewish societal obligation and spiritual duty to care for the destitute, lending an air of righteousness to his criticism.

• "Why was not this ointment sold...?": This opening rhetorical question immediately frames the issue as a practical, economic, and moral dilemma. Judas skillfully contrasts Mary's devotional act with an ostensibly more virtuous deed, leveraging the universally acknowledged good of helping the poor to criticize a direct act of worship towards Jesus. This false dilemma attempts to undermine Mary's profound gesture by presenting a 'better' alternative.
• "...for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?": This phrase fully articulates Judas's proposed, 'responsible' use of the precious resource. It highlights the vast sum involved and directs the conversation toward a specific charitable cause. From a worldly perspective, especially if unaware of Mary's spiritual insight or Judas's ulterior motives, this argument would appear sound and ethically superior to simply "wasting" the costly perfume on an individual.

John 12 5 Bonus section

• The Scent of Devotion: While Judas's criticism was verbal, Mary's act filled the entire house with the fragrance of the perfume (Jn 12:3). This detail vividly contrasts Judas's corrupt words with the undeniable, palpable evidence of worship, a "fragrant offering" to Jesus, spiritually symbolic of prayer and sacrifice (cf. Eph 5:2, Php 4:18, Rev 5:8).
• A Year's Wage: The explicit mention of "three hundred denarii" as the perfume's worth is significant. It underlines that Mary's offering was not a token gesture but a profound, personal sacrifice, likely representing a substantial portion of her family's wealth or her own dowry. This elevates her devotion beyond mere generosity to true self-giving.
• Judas's Fall as a Warning: Judas's criticism of "waste" foreshadows his ultimate betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (Mt 26:15), a significantly lesser sum. This episode subtly reveals his spiraling greed and rejection of Christ's true value, serving as a powerful warning against allowing love of money to corrupt the heart and obscure spiritual truth.

John 12 5 Commentary

John 12:5 captures a pivotal moment of tension, not merely over economic value but over spiritual priorities and the nature of devotion. Judas's question, while appearing to champion the cause of the poor, serves as a facade for his own covetousness, starkly contrasted with Mary's unreserved, sacrificial love for Jesus. His calculation of the ointment's worth in denarii reflects a purely material and utilitarian perspective, failing to grasp the profound, spiritual significance of Mary's act—an act that Jesus Himself validates as a prophetic preparation for His burial. The verse thus sets the stage for distinguishing between external displays of piety and genuine, heart-felt worship, while also revealing the internal corruption that would ultimately lead to Jesus' betrayal. It challenges listeners to examine their own motives when evaluating acts of worship and service, ensuring that concern for social good does not become a pretext for deflecting from radical devotion to Christ.