Bible Strands
John 12:5
“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Judas Iscariot, a disciple preparing to betray Jesus, asks the other disciples why the expensive perfume was not sold and the proceeds given to the poor.
The words — The supplied Greek term μύρον (muron) identifies the fragrant oil in question, while ἐπράθη (eprathē) specifies that it was sold.
The thread — This challenge to liquidate assets for the poor aligns with the commands in Luke 12:33 and Luke 18:22, while the disciples' indignant reaction mirrors the account in Matthew 26:8.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to distinguish between stated concern for the poor and hidden self-interest when evaluating objections to sacrificial devotion.
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
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Cross-references
- Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
- Luke 18:22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Matthew 26:8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?
- Mark 14:4 Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?
- Malachi 1:10 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.
- Luke 6:41 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?
- Exodus 5:8 But require of them the same quota of bricks as before; do not reduce it. For they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’
- Exodus 5:17 “You are slackers!” Pharaoh replied. “Slackers! That is why you keep saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
- Amos 8:5 asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.
- John 6:7 Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a small piece.”