John 12:6

4 But 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?”

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.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.

8 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
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.
WEB
Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.
ASV
Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein.
DARBY
But he said this, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and had the bag, and carried what was put into [it].
BLB
But he said this not because he was caring for the poor, but because he was a thief; and having the money bag, he used to take up that being put into [it].
ÅB
Men dette sa han, ikke fordi de fattige lå ham på hjerte, men fordi han var en tyv og hadde pungen og tok det som ble lagt i den.
OTB
Han sa dette ikke fordi han brydde seg om de fattige, men fordi han var en tyv; som kasserer pleide han å ta av det som ble lagt i det.
B1930
Men dette sa han, ikke fordi de fattige lå ham på hjerte, men fordi han var en tyv og hadde pungen og tok det som blev lagt i den.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 50:16–20

    To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips?

    Read in context
  • James 2:6

    But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?

    Read in context
  • James 2:2

    Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 5:20–27

    Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, while not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

    Read in context
  • Galatians 2:10

    They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 6:10

    nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

    Read in context
  • Ezra 8:24–34

    Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests, together with Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers,

    Read in context