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 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 one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 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. 7But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

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 10:13The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
• Psalms 14:1The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
• Proverbs 29:7The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
• Ezekiel 33:31So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.
• Galatians 2:10They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
• James 2:2For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
• John 10:8All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
• 2 Kings 5:20But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”
• Psalms 50:16But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth,
• Matthew 21:13And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”
• 1 Corinthians 6:10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
• John 13:29For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
• 2 Kings 12:14But they gave that to the workmen, and they repaired the house of the Lord with it.
• Ezra 8:24And I separated twelve of the leaders of the priests—Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them—
• 2 Corinthians 8:19and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind,
• 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
• Bear; Borne
• Care; Carefulness; Careful
• Jesus Christ
• John, Gospel of
• Judas Iscariot
• King, Christ As

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