This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- BSB Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.
- NKJV This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
- NASB Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he kept the money box, he used to steal from what was put into it.
- NLT Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
John reveals Judas cared nothing for the poor but was a thief stealing from the money box. His true character is laid bare.
Overview
John exposes Judas's real motive, that he pilfered from the common purse he kept. The disclosure unmasks the betrayer's corruption well before his final act. It warns that proximity to Jesus and outward ministry do not guarantee a converted heart.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Ps 50:16–20But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
- John 13:29For 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.
- Jas 2:6But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
- Jas 2:2For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
- 2 Kgs 5:20–27But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
- Gal 2:10Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
- 1 Cor 6:10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
- 2 Kgs 12:14–15But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.
- Ezek 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
- Ezra 8:24–34Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
- Prov 29:7The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
- Ps 14:1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
- 1 Th 5:22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
- 2 Cor 8:19–21And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
- Matt 21:13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
- John 10:13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
- John 10:8–10All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 12:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.