John 12:5
What does John 12:5 mean?
A plain-English look at John 12:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 12:5 means
Judas presents a practical-sounding critique: the perfume could have been sold for a large sum—about a year’s wages—and distributed to the poor. On the surface, it argues stewardship and charity. Underneath, it reduces worship to a cost–benefit calculation and masks his own heart. The statement sets up the perennial tension between acts of adoration and pragmatic concerns. Jesus will not pit compassion for the poor against honoring Him; but He will insist on proper priorities at a unique moment in salvation history. This verse shows how pious language can hide self-interest and how easily people can misread extravagant love for Jesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Why was not this perfume traded for three hundred pence, and the money given to the poor?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Wherefore was not this ointment sold for three hundred denaries, and given to the poor?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence and given to the poor?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?
Context
Having introduced Judas as the betrayer, John now records his objection in economic and charitable terms. Readers might initially sympathize with the concern for the poor, but the Gospel will immediately unmask his motive in the next verse. That revelation will, in turn, prepare for Jesus’ defense of Mary’s action and His reference to His burial. The sequence exposes hypocrisy while affirming that true worship has its own rightful place, especially as the cross draws near.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 12:33
Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.
- Amos 8:5
saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit;
- Mark 14:4
But there were some that had indignation among themselves, saying, To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made?
- Exodus 5:17
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and sacrifice to Jehovah.
- Matthew 26:8
But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
- John 6:7
Philip answered him, Two hundred shillings’ worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little.
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