John 12:5

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

Why {G1302} was {G4097} not {G3756} this {G5124} ointment {G3464} sold {G4097} for three hundred {G5145} pence {G1220}, and {G2532} given {G1325} to the poor {G4434}?

“This perfume is worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?”

“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

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

Commentary

This verse captures the critical moment when Judas Iscariot objects to Mary's lavish act of anointing Jesus with expensive ointment.

Context

This scene takes place in Bethany at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, just days before Jesus' crucifixion. A dinner is being held in Jesus' honor. Mary has just performed a deeply symbolic act of worship by anointing Jesus' feet with very costly spikenard. Judas's question immediately follows this act, appearing to challenge the perceived wastefulness of the gift.

Key Themes

  • Value and Priorities: Judas questions the value placed on devotion to Christ versus the value of money and care for the poor. His perspective is utilitarian and earthly.
  • Hypocrisy: As the following verse reveals (John 12:6), Judas's concern for the poor was not genuine. He was the keeper of the money bag and would steal from it. This highlights the theme of hypocrisy – saying one thing while having entirely different motives.
  • Devotion vs. Calculation: Mary's act was one of pure, extravagant devotion, not calculation. Judas's reaction reveals a mindset focused on financial return rather than sacrificial love and worship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "three hundred pence" (δηνάρια τριακοσίων - dēnaria triakosiōn) refers to 300 Roman denarii. A denarius was a common day's wage for a laborer. Therefore, 300 denarii represented a very significant sum, roughly equivalent to a year's wages. This underscores just how valuable the ointment was, highlighting the magnitude of Mary's sacrificial gift and the apparent wastefulness from a purely economic standpoint.

Reflection

Judas's question serves as a stark contrast to Mary's humble and loving worship. While caring for the poor is a vital aspect of Christian life (as Jesus himself affirmed in a similar context), Judas's motive was not charity but greed. This verse challenges us to examine our own motives. Are our actions driven by genuine love and devotion to Christ, or are we sometimes motivated by self-interest, even when using seemingly spiritual language? It reminds us that true worship can sometimes look "wasteful" from a worldly perspective because its value is measured in love and sacrifice, not financial return.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 12:33 (4 votes)

    Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

  • Luke 18:22 (4 votes)

    Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

  • Mark 14:4 (3 votes)

    And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

  • Mark 14:5 (3 votes)

    For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

  • Matthew 26:8 (3 votes)

    But when his disciples saw [it], they had indignation, saying, To what purpose [is] this waste?

  • Matthew 26:9 (3 votes)

    For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

  • Exodus 5:17 (2 votes)

    But he said, Ye [are] idle, [ye are] idle: therefore ye say, Let us go [and] do sacrifice to the LORD.