Key Verse Spotlight
John 12:5 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” "
John 12:5
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
3 Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
4 Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,
5 “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”
6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.
7 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.
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John 12:1
"Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead."
John 12:2
"So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him."
John 12:3
"Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment."
John 12:4
"Then Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,"
John 12:6
"Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it."
John 12:7
"But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial."
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