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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

Context of John 12:6

4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 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. 7Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8For the poor you always have 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 10:13He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
• Psalms 14:1The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.
• Proverbs 29:7A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
• Ezekiel 33:31And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.
• Galatians 2:10Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
• James 2:2For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
• John 10:8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
• 2 Kings 5:20Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him."
• Psalms 50:16But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips?
• Matthew 21:13He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers."
• 1 Corinthians 6:10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
• John 13:29Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor.
• 2 Kings 12:14for that was given to the workmen who were repairing the house of the Lord with it.
• Ezra 8:24Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their kinsmen with them.
• 2 Corinthians 8:19And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from every form 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