John 12:5 - “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?”
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What does "John 12:5" mean?
This verse, spoken by Judas Iscariot in John 12:5, is about Mary anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. It's important to understand the context and the motivations behind Judas' question to fully understand its meaning.
Here's a breakdown:
The Setting: Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anoints Jesus' feet with a very costly perfume (nard). She then wipes his feet with her hair. This act of devotion and extravagant love is what prompts Judas' comment.
The Price: "Three hundred denarii" was a substantial amount of money. A denarius was roughly equivalent to a day's wage for a common laborer. Three hundred denarii would be almost a year's wages.
Judas' Question (at face value): His question seems to be a concern for the poor. He suggests that the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor, implying that this would have been a more practical and charitable use of the valuable ointment.
The True Motivation (according to the Bible): John 12:6 clarifies Judas' actual motivation: "He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it."
Therefore, the verse, "“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?”" is significant because:
1. It highlights the contrast between genuine devotion and hypocritical self-interest: Mary's act is one of selfless love and worship, while Judas' comment is a mask for his greed and dishonest intentions.
2. It reveals Judas' character: It foreshadows his betrayal of Jesus, showing him as someone driven by selfish desires rather than genuine concern for others.
3. It underscores the importance of genuine motives: The story reminds us that outward displays of piety or charity are meaningless if they are not rooted in sincerity and love.
4. It illustrates the value of extravagant love and devotion: Jesus defends Mary's actions, suggesting that her act was a prophetic preparation for his burial. It shows that sometimes, acts of love and devotion that might seem "wasteful" to some are actually deeply meaningful and valuable in God's eyes.
In essence, Judas' question is not about genuine compassion, but about disguising his own self-serving motives behind a facade of concern for the poor. The verse serves as a cautionary tale about hypocrisy and the importance of genuine intentions.
John 12:5 - “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?”
What does "John 12:5" mean?
This verse, spoken by Judas Iscariot in John 12:5, is about Mary anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume. It's important to understand the context and the motivations behind Judas' question to fully understand its meaning.
Here's a breakdown:
The Setting: Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anoints Jesus' feet with a very costly perfume (nard). She then wipes his feet with her hair. This act of devotion and extravagant love is what prompts Judas' comment.
The Price: "Three hundred denarii" was a substantial amount of money. A denarius was roughly equivalent to a day's wage for a common laborer. Three hundred denarii would be almost a year's wages.
Judas' Question (at face value): His question seems to be a concern for the poor. He suggests that the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor, implying that this would have been a more practical and charitable use of the valuable ointment.
The True Motivation (according to the Bible): John 12:6 clarifies Judas' actual motivation: "He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it."
Therefore, the verse, "“Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?”" is significant because:
1. It highlights the contrast between genuine devotion and hypocritical self-interest: Mary's act is one of selfless love and worship, while Judas' comment is a mask for his greed and dishonest intentions.
2. It reveals Judas' character: It foreshadows his betrayal of Jesus, showing him as someone driven by selfish desires rather than genuine concern for others.
3. It underscores the importance of genuine motives: The story reminds us that outward displays of piety or charity are meaningless if they are not rooted in sincerity and love.
4. It illustrates the value of extravagant love and devotion: Jesus defends Mary's actions, suggesting that her act was a prophetic preparation for his burial. It shows that sometimes, acts of love and devotion that might seem "wasteful" to some are actually deeply meaningful and valuable in God's eyes.
In essence, Judas' question is not about genuine compassion, but about disguising his own self-serving motives behind a facade of concern for the poor. The verse serves as a cautionary tale about hypocrisy and the importance of genuine intentions.