For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Parallel translations
- WEB For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.”
- BSB This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”
- NKJV For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”
- NASB For this perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
- NLT “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
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
The disciples argue the ointment could have been sold to help the poor. Their reasoning sounds noble but misjudges the moment.
Overview
The objection appeals to charity, a genuine biblical concern, yet here it masks a failure to honor Christ's unique worth. John notes Judas's hypocrisy in this, since he was a thief. Jesus will affirm that worship of Him does not compete with care for the poor but rightly takes priority in this unrepeatable hour.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- John 12:5–6Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
- Mark 14:5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
- 1 Sam 15:9But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
- 1 Sam 15:21But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
- 2 Kgs 5:20But 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.
- Josh 7:20–21And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
- 2 Pet 2:15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 26:9 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
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