Bible Strands
John 12:4
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Judas Iscariot, identified as one of Jesus’ disciples who was destined to betray Him, speaks immediately after Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive nard. His inquiry addresses the gathered disciples regarding the perfume’s potential sale price.
The words — The Greek δὲ (de) operates as a conjunctive "however," signaling a narrative pivot from devotion to opposition. The appellation Ἰούδας Σίμωνος Ἰσκαριώτης (Ioudas Simōnos Iskariōtēs) literally translates to "Judas son of Simon Iscariot," anchoring his identity through paternal and regional markers.
The thread — This designation of Judas as the betrayer and son of Simon aligns with the apostolic list in Matthew 10:4 and the subsequent account in John 13:2 detailing the devil’s prior influence on his heart. The juxtaposition of sacrificial worship and financial objection mirrors the familial confrontation documented in 1 Samuel 17:28.
Why it lands — The text records a question about resource allocation that precedes the disclosure of Judas’s treacherous intent. It requires the reader to observe how monetary reasoning is positioned directly against an act of costly devotion without editorial commentary.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,
Cross-references
- Matthew 10:4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
- 1 Samuel 17:28 Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!”
- John 13:2 The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
- John 18:2 Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples.
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
- Luke 6:16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
- John 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
- John 13:26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped it.” Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.