John 12:5

John 12:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
• New International Version (NIV)“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

Context of John 12:5

3Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. 7Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.

John 12:5 word by word

διὰ τί τοῦτο τὸ μύρον οὐκ ἐπράθη τριακοσίων δηναρίων καὶ ἐδόθη πτωχοῖς;Read the interlinear

• Whyδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• Whyτίςtis · which?G5101
• was thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• perfumeμύρονmuron · ointmentG3464
• not soldπιπράσκωpipraskō praō · to sellG4097
• threeτριακόσιοιtriakosioi · three hundredG5145
• denariiδηνάριονdēnarion · denariusG1220
• and givenδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
• to poorπτωχόςptōchos · poorG4434

Cross-references for John 12:5

• Exodus 5:8But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them; you are not to reduce any of it. Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
• Amos 8:5saying, “When will the new moon be over, So that we may sell grain, And the sabbath, that we may open the wheat market, To make the bushel smaller and the shekel bigger, And to cheat with dishonest scales,
• Malachi 1:10“Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you.
• Matthew 26:8But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste?
• Mark 14:4But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?
• Luke 6:41Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
• John 6:7Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.”
• Matthew 20:2When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.
• Mark 14:5For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her.
• Matthew 26:9For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
• Luke 12:33“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.
• Luke 18:22When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Commentaries on John 12:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Three hundred pence - Or denarii: about 9. 13s. 9d. of our money; reckoning the denarius at 7 3/4d. One of my MSS. of the Vulgate (a MS. of the 14th century) reads, cccc denarii.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. 5three hundred denarii: Judas may have been exaggerating, but Mary’s sacrifice was certainly very costly.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 12:5

• Anointing
• Bethany
• Hypocrisy
• Jesus, the Christ
• Judas (Jude)
• Love
• Minister, Christian
• Ointment
• Parsimony (Stinginess)
• Presumption

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Consult
• Costly
• Prince
• Spikenard
• Jesus Christ
• John, Gospel of
• Judas Iscariot
• King, Christ As
• Martha

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