John 12:5
New International Version
“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

New Living Translation
“That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”

English Standard Version
“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

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

Berean Literal Bible
"Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

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

New King James Version
“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

New American Standard Bible
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the proceeds given to poor people?

NASB 1995
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?”

NASB 1977
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor people?

Legacy Standard Bible
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

Amplified Bible
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and [the money] given to the poor?”

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?”

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

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Why was not this oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?”

Contemporary English Version
"Why wasn't this perfume sold for 300 silver coins and the money given to the poor?"

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

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Why wasn't this perfume sold for a high price and the money given to the poor?"

Good News Translation
"Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?"

International Standard Version
"Why wasn't this perfume sold for 300 denarii and the money given to the destitute?"

Literal Standard Version
“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?”

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

New American Bible
“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?”

NET Bible
"Why wasn't this oil sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?"

New Revised Standard Version
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

New Heart English Bible
"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

Weymouth New Testament
"Why was not that perfume sold for 300 shillings and the money given to the poor?"

World English Bible
“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”

Young's Literal Translation
'Wherefore was not this ointment sold for three hundred denaries, and given to the poor?'

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Mary Anoints Jesus
4But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked, 5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6Judas 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 take from what was put into it.…

Cross References
Matthew 18:28
But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe me!'

John 12:4
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,

John 12:6
Judas 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 take from what was put into it.

John 13:29
Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.


Treasury of Scripture

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

was.

Exodus 5:8,17
And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God…

Amos 8:5
Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

Malachi 1:10-13
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand…

three hundred.

John 6:7
Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

Matthew 20:2
And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Mark 14:5
For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

and given.

Matthew 26:9
For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

Luke 12:33
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
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.

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Denaries Denarii Hundred Money Ointment Pence Perfume Poor Shillings Sold Three Traded Wages Wasn't Wherefore Worth Year's
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Denaries Denarii Hundred Money Ointment Pence Perfume Poor Shillings Sold Three Traded Wages Wasn't Wherefore Worth Year's
John 12
1. Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.
9. The people flock to see Lazarus.
10. The chief priests consult to kill him.
12. Jesus rides into Jerusalem.
20. Greeks desire to see Jesus.
23. He foretells his death.
37. The people are generally blinded;
42. yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;
44. therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.














(5) Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence?--Both the earlier Gospels preface this estimate by a reference to the use which was made of the ointment as actual waste. St. Matthew says only "that it might have been sold for much." St. Mark, "that it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence," that is, in actual value, for the yearly wage of a working man, and for the food therefore which would have maintained a poor man's household for a whole year. (Comp. Note on John 6:7.) St. Mark adds, "and they were angry at her." (Comp. Note on John 11:33.)

Verses 5, 6. - Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? Sinful motive often hides itself under the mask of reverence for another virtue. In Mark's Gospel the same price was put upon the pound of pure nard as that which is mentioned here - about of our money. Christ had given emphatic advice about generosity to the poor, and even during this very week (John 13:29) it is clear that his words were not forgotten, and in his great discourse, probably also delivered during this same week, he identified himself with the poor (Matthew 25:35, etc.), and called for unreserved consideration of them; so that this language was not unnatural. The value of this ointment is another minute indication that there is no connection between the Lazarus of John and the Lazarus of the parable. But John adds that the utter lack of perception on Judas's part of Mary's self-devotion was prompted by the most unworthy motive. The suggestion of Judas is put down by the evangelist to the sheerest covetousness. During the interval that elapsed, Judas had revealed his character, and John did not hesitate to refer the suggestion to the traitor. Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor. He really cared nothing for the poor. He was ambitious, eager for the display of the Master's power, anxious for the rewards which might follow the Master's assumption of supreme authority, turning to his own account all that might happen. But because he was a thief, and having possession of the common purse (the word γλωσσόκομος, which occurs in the sense of a chest (2 Chronicles 24:8), has a curious etymology, which had passed out of recognition; from γλώσσα and κομέω comes γλωσσοκομεῖον, that in which month-pieces of flutes might be kept in safety, and subsequently a chest or box for the safe guardianship of other valuables), he was the bearer - perhaps, bore array (see John 20:15, and Josephus, ' Ant.,' 7:15. 3, for this use of βαστάζω), at all events had at his disposal - of the things which were cast, in generous profusion, into it. Thoma makes the astounding suggestion that "John" here covertly refers to Simon Magus of Acts 8:18, etc. The question is often asked - Why was Judas entrusted with the common purse? Was it not likely to aggravate a disposition to which he was prone? Did not Jesus know what was in man? and had he not discerned the propensity of Judas (see John 6:71)? In reply:

(1) The appointment may have been made by the apostles themselves.

(2) Our Lord may not have interfered with it, deeming confidence more likely to help him than distrust.

(3) It may also show how, if men will yield themselves to sin, God will not and does not promise them immunity from temptation, but sometimes even brings them into it. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Why
Διὰ (Dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

wasn’t
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

this
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

perfume
μύρον (myron)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3464: Anointing-oil, ointment. Probably of foreign origin; 'myrrh', i.e. perfumed oil.

sold
ἐπράθη (eprathē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4097: A reduplicated and prolonged form of prao; contracted from perao; to traffic, i.e. Dispose of as merchandise or into slavery.

for three hundred
τριακοσίων (triakosiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 5145: Three hundred. Plural from treis and hekaton; three hundred.

denarii
δηναρίων (dēnariōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1220: A denarius, a small Roman silver coin. Of Latin origin; a denarius.

and [the money]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

given
ἐδόθη (edothē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

to [the] poor?”
πτωχοῖς (ptōchois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4434: Poor, destitute, spiritually poor, either in a good sense (humble devout persons) or bad.


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