John 12:6

John 12:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
• New International Version (NIV)He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
• English Standard Version (ESV)He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.
• New King James Version (NKJV)This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

Context of John 12:6

4Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray him), said, 5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it. 7Jesus answered, “Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of my burial. 8For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

John 12:6 word by word

εἶπεν δὲ τοῦτο οὐχ ὅτι περὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ἔμελεν αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι κλέπτης ἦν καὶ τὸ γλωσσόκομον ἔχων τὰ βαλλόμενα ἐβάσταζεν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·δέde · thenG1161
• Thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• he saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• notοὐou · noG3756
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
• heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• caredμέλωmelō · to concernG3199
• forπερίperi · aboutG4012
• the poorὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the poorπτωχόςptōchos · poorG4434
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• he wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• a thiefκλέπτηςkleptēs · thiefG2812
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• hadἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• the bagγλωσσόκομονglōssokomon · moneybagG1101
• bareβαστάζωbastazō · to carryG941
• what was put thereinβάλλωballō · to throw: putG906

Cross-references for John 12:6

• John 10:13This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.
• Psalms 14:1The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt; they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good.
• Proverbs 29:7The righteous person knows the rights of the poor, but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.
• Ezekiel 33:31So my people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don’t obey them. Their mouths go on passionately, but their hearts pursue dishonest profit.
• Galatians 2:10They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I had made every effort to do.
• James 2:2For if someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in,
• John 10:8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.
• 2 Kings 5:20Gehazi, the attendant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “My master has let this Aramean Naaman off lightly by not accepting from him what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”
• Psalms 50:16But God says to the wicked: “What right do you have to recite my statutes and to take my covenant on your lips?
• Matthew 21:13He said to them, “It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of thieves!”
• 1 Corinthians 6:10no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.
• John 13:29Since Judas kept the money-bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor.
• 2 Kings 12:14Instead, it was given to those doing the work, and they repaired the Lord’s temple with it.
• Ezra 8:24I selected twelve of the leading priests, along with Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers.
• 2 Corinthians 8:19And not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches to accompany us with this gracious gift that we are administering for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:22Stay away from every kind of evil.

Commentaries on John 12:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Not that He cared for the poor - There should be a particular emphasis laid on the word he, as the evangelist studies to show the most determined detestation to his conduct. And bare what was put therein - Or rather, as some eminent critics contend, And stole what was put in it. This seems the proper meaning of Ϛ ; and in this sense it is used, John 20:15; : If thou hast Stolen him away - Ϛ . In the same sense the word is used by Josephus, Ant. b. xii. c…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2-8Verses 2-8 See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 26:3-16. John 12:2 A supper - At the house of Simon the leper, Matthew 26:6. Lazarus was … - The names of Martha and Lazarus are mentioned because it was not in their own house, but in that of Simon. Lazarus is particularly mentioned, since it was so remarkable that one who had been once dead should be enjoying again the endearments of friendship. This shows, also, that his resurrection was no…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-50In this part of John’s Gospel, two stories move forward at the same time. First, more and more people begin to praise Jesus. Their excitement reaches a high point when crowds welcome him into Jerusalem with shouts of joy (12:12–13). Second, the religious authorities become more determined to arrest Jesus and put him to death. As public support grows, their opposition grows as well. John's Gospel describes three events that happened only days before…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-11(See on Mt 26:6-13). 1-8. six days before the passover--that is, on the sixth day before it; probably after sunset on Friday evening, or the commencement of the Jewish sabbath preceding the passover.Read the comment

Topics related to John 12:6

• Anointing
• Bethany
• Covetousness
• Dishonesty
• Hypocrisy
• Jesus, the Christ
• Judas (Jude)
• Love
• Minister, Christian
• Poor
• Theft and Thieves

In the dictionaries

• Bag
• Chief
• Consult
• Costly
• Prince
• Bear; Borne
• Care; Carefulness; Careful
• Jesus Christ
• John, Gospel of
• Judas Iscariot

Commentaries on John 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings