Bible Strands
John 13:29
Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the disciples’ reaction at the Last Supper after Jesus privately instructs Judas to act quickly. Because no one at the table understands the command, they infer its meaning from Judas’s known role as keeper of the group’s funds.
The words — τινὲς (tines) identifies the unspecified observers, while γλωσσόκομον (glōssokomon) literally denotes a purse or money bag. These terms anchor the disciples’ speculation in Judas’s practical stewardship rather than his inner disposition.
The thread — This assumption mirrors the earlier dispute in John 12:5, where Judas questions selling valuable perfume for the poor. The narrative immediately contrasts their speculation with the factual account of Judas leaving the table and walking into the night in John 13:30.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to separate outward religious function from hidden spiritual reality. Observers must stop projecting their own assumptions onto others and instead acknowledge the limits of human judgment.
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
For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Cross-references
- John 12:5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”
- Acts 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.
- Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
- John 13:1 It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.
- Galatians 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.