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Mary Anoints Jesus
…4But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,5“Whywasn’tthisperfumesoldfor three hundreddenariiand the moneygivento 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.…

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 diminishought thereof: for theybe idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us goand 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
Whois there even among you that would shut the doorsfor nought? neither do ye kindlefire 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.

DenariesDenariiHundredMoneyOintmentPencePerfumePoorShillingsSoldThreeTradedWagesWasn'tWhereforeWorthYear'sDenariesDenariiHundredMoneyOintmentPencePerfumePoorShillingsSoldThreeTradedWagesWasn'tWhereforeWorthYear's1.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.

Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii
This question is posed by Judas Iscariot during the anointing of Jesus by Mary in Bethany. The perfume in question is likely nard, a costly ointment imported from India, emphasizing its high value. Three hundred denarii was approximately a year's wages for a laborer, highlighting the extravagance of Mary's act. This reflects the tension between material value and spiritual devotion. Judas's question reveals a misunderstanding of Jesus's mission and the value of worship. The mention of "three hundred denarii" connects to the broader biblical theme of sacrificial giving, as seen in the widow's offering inMark 12:41-44.

and the money given to the poor?
The concern for the poor is a recurring theme in Scripture, with numerous Old Testament laws and New Testament teachings emphasizing care for the needy (Deuteronomy 15:11,Matthew 25:35-40). However, Judas's question is disingenuous, as noted in the following verses, where his true motives are revealed. This moment foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus, contrasting Judas's false piety with Mary's genuine devotion. The tension between earthly concerns and spiritual priorities is a central theme in Jesus's teachings, as seen inMatthew 6:19-21, where believers are encouraged to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.

1.Judas Iscariot
One of Jesus' twelve disciples, known for betraying Jesus. In this passage, he questions the use of expensive perfume.

2.Mary of Bethany
Sister of Martha and Lazarus, she anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, demonstrating her devotion and love.

3.Bethany
A village near Jerusalem where this event takes place, significant as the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

4.The Perfume
A costly ointment, identified as pure nard, used by Mary to anoint Jesus, symbolizing honor and worship.

5.The Poor
Referenced by Judas as a potential beneficiary of the perfume's value, highlighting a common concern for the needy.True Worship and Devotion
Mary's act of anointing Jesus with expensive perfume is a profound expression of worship and love. It challenges us to consider how we demonstrate our devotion to Christ.

Motives of the Heart
Judas' question, though seemingly concerned with the poor, reveals ulterior motives. This teaches us to examine our own hearts and intentions in our actions and words.

Value of Sacrifice
The perfume's worth was significant, yet Mary chose to use it for Jesus. This illustrates the principle of sacrificial giving and prioritizing Christ above material possessions.

Understanding Priorities
While caring for the poor is important, this passage highlights the necessity of discerning when to prioritize worship and direct service to Jesus.

The Presence of the Poor
Jesus' response to Judas reminds us of the ongoing responsibility to care for the poor, while also recognizing moments of unique spiritual significance.1.What is the meaning of John 12:5?

2.Why did Judas question the use of the perfume in John 12:5?

3.How does John 12:5 reveal Judas's true character and intentions?

4.What does John 12:5 teach about valuing spiritual priorities over material concerns?

5.How can we avoid Judas's attitude when serving others in need?

6.What other scriptures warn against hypocrisy and greed like in John 12:5?

7.Why was the perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?

8.Does John 12:5 suggest a conflict between charity and worship?

9.How does John 12:5 reflect Judas Iscariot's character and intentions?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 12?

11.What does spikenard refer to in the Bible?

12.In John 12:3, how is it scientifically plausible that the fragrance from a single jar of perfume filled the entire house?

13.How did Mary of Bethany show devotion to Jesus?

14.Will all believers be resurrected? (Daniel 12:2 vs. John 5:28-29)Why wasn’t this perfume

• The setting is a dinner in Bethany where “Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume… and anointed Jesus’ feet” (John 12:3).

• Judas Iscariot, identified inJohn 12:4 as the speaker, challenges the act. Though he frames his words as practical stewardship,John 12:6 reveals his true motive was greed.

• Similar objections arise in the parallel accounts (Matthew 26:8;Mark 14:4), showing that some disciples shared Judas’s sentiment, yet Jesus affirmed Mary’s devotion (John 12:7).

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sold for three hundred denarii

• Three hundred denarii was roughly a year’s wages for a laborer (cf.Matthew 20:2), underscoring how lavish the gift was.

• The statement spotlights the costliness of wholehearted worship. David once said, “I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). Mary’s act follows that same principle.

• Scripture consistently presents sacrificial giving as precious to God, whether it is the widow’s two coins (Luke 21:1-4) or Mary’s flask of perfume.

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and the money given

• Judas’s argument appears reasonable: redirect valuable resources to charity.Proverbs 19:17 commends generosity to the poor, andDeuteronomy 15:11 commands openhandedness.

• Yet motives matter.John 12:6 discloses Judas “cared nothing for the poor.” God weighs the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), and outward philanthropy cannot mask inner corruption.

• Jesus does not dismiss caring for the needy; He Himself fed the hungry (Matthew 14:13-21) and taught almsgiving (Matthew 6:1-4). He simply discerns the hypocrisy lurking beneath Judas’s proposal.

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to the poor?

• Jesus answers, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me” (John 12:8), echoingDeuteronomy 15:11. His impending crucifixion gives this moment unique significance.

• Honoring the Son of God takes precedence when an irrevocable opportunity is at hand.Acts 20:35 encourages continual care for the poor, yet worship of Christ remains first (Colossians 1:18).

• Mary’s perfume, poured out now, prepares Jesus “for the day of My burial” (John 12:7). The fragrance fills the house (John 12:3), symbolizing how true devotion blesses everyone present (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).

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summary

Mary’s costly act of love reveals the surpassing worth of Jesus. Judas’s objection exposes selfish motives cloaked in pious language. Scripture upholds both generous care for the poor and extravagant worship, but it insists that worship comes first and must spring from a sincere heart.

(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 onJohn 6:7.) St. Mark adds, "and they were angry at her." (Comp. Note onJohn 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 havingpossession of the common purse (the wordγλωσσόκομος, which occurs in the sense of a chest (2 Chronicles 24:8), has a curious etymology, which had passed out of recognition; fromγλώσσα andκομέω comesγλωσσοκομεῖον, 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 (seeJohn 20:15, and Josephus, ' Ant.,' 7:15. 3, for this use ofβαστάζω), 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 ofActs 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 (seeJohn 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 ...

“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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NT Gospels: John 12:5 Why wasn't this ointment sold for three (Jhn Jo Jn)