John 12:5-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 12:1-11

In these verses we have, I. The kind visit our Lord Jesus paid to his friends at Bethany, John 12:1. He came up out of the country, six days before the passover, and took up at Bethany, a town which, according to the computation of our metropolis, lay so near Jerusalem as to be within the bills of mortality. He lodged here with his friend Lazarus, whom he had lately raised from the dead. His coming to Bethany now may be considered, 1. As a preface to the passover he intended to celebrate, to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:1-8

12:1-8 Now six days before the Passover Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom he raised from the dead. So they made him a meal there, and Martha was serving while Lazarus was one of those who reclined at table with him. Now Mary took a pound of very precious genuine spikenard ointment, and anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the perfume of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, the one who was going to betray him,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 12:1-8

(iii) There is the character of Judas. There are three things here about him. (a) We see Jesus' trust in Judas. As far back as John 6:70-71 , John shows us Jesus well aware that there was a traitor within the ranks. It may well be that he tried to touch Judas' heart by making him the treasurer of the apostolic company. It may well be that he tried to appeal to his sense of honour. It may well be that he was saying in effect to him: "Judas, here's something that you can do for me. Here is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:5

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence ,.... Meaning Roman pence, one of which is, of the value of our money, seven pence halfpenny; so that three hundred pence amount to nine pounds seven shillings and six pence: and given to the poor ? this was his pretence, and with which he covered himself; his uneasiness was, because it was not sold, and the money put into his hands, as appears by what follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 12:6

This he said, not that he cared for the poor ,.... He had no affection for them, and was unconcerned about them, and took no care of them to feed and clothe them; he was no ways solicitous for their support, refreshment, and more comfortable living: but because he was a thief ; to his master, and purloined the money he was intrusted with by him, and put it to his own use: and had the bag, and bare what put therein ; the word rendered a "bag", is adopted by the Rabbinical Jews, into... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:5

Three 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 more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:6

Not 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 εβαϚαζεν ; and in this sense it is used, John 20:15 ; : If thou hast Stolen him away - ει συ εβαϚασας αυτον . In the same sense the word is used by Josephus, Ant. b. xii. c.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:5

Verse 5 5.Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred denarii? A pound of ordinary ointment, Pliny tells us, cost not more than ten denarii; but the same Pliny says, that the highest price of the best ointment was three hundred and ten denarii. Now the Evangelists agree, that this was the most costly ointment, and Therefore Judas is correct in valuing a pound of it at three hundred denarii, — a sum which, according to the computation of Budaeus, amounts to fifty livres of French money. And... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - John 12:6

Verse 6 6.Because he was a thief. The rest of the Apostles, not from any bad disposition, but thoughtlessly, condemn Mary. But Judas resorts to a plausible pretext for his wickedness, when he brings forward the poor, though he cared nothing about them. We are taught by this instance what a frightful beast the desire of possessing is; the loss which Judas thinks that he has sustained, by the loss of an opportunity for stealing, excites him to such rage that he does not hesitate to betray Christ.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 12:1-8

1. The feast of love and gratitude . read more

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