John 12:5 – “‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’”

Extended Explanation

This verse captures Judas Iscariot’s reaction to Mary’s act of devotion to Jesus. In the previous verses, Mary had poured out a large amount of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair (John 12:3). This was an extravagant display of love, but Judas saw it differently.

Judas objected, questioning why the perfume hadn’t been sold instead, with the money given to the poor. The perfume, identified as pure nard, was worth about a year’s wages, making it an incredibly valuable gift. On the surface, Judas’ statement might seem reasonable—helping the poor is a noble cause. However, as the next verse reveals, Judas didn’t say this because he actually cared for the poor, but because he was greedy and wanted access to the money (John 12:6).

This verse exposes the stark contrast between Mary’s sincere worship and Judas’ false piety. Mary saw Jesus as worthy of everything, while Judas saw Jesus as an opportunity for personal gain. His words sound spiritual, but his heart was far from God.

Historical Context

In Jewish culture, giving to the poor was considered a righteous act. The Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets emphasized caring for the needy (Deuteronomy 15:11, Proverbs 19:17). This is why Judas’ statement might have sounded reasonable to those around him—many would have agreed that money could be used to help the less fortunate.

However, John’s Gospel exposes Judas’ real motives. As the keeper of the disciples’ money bag, Judas was known to steal from it (John 12:6). His concern wasn’t truly for the poor, but for himself.

At this point, Jesus was just days away from His crucifixion. Mary, perhaps more aware than the others, recognized this and chose to honor Him with her most valuable possession. Judas, on the other hand, was already on the path toward betraying Jesus (John 13:2, 27).

Theological Implications

This verse highlights several key spiritual lessons:

1. True Worship is Often Criticized – Mary’s act of love was misunderstood and attacked. This reminds us that genuine devotion to Christ may not always be appreciated, even by those who claim to follow Him.
2. Religious Talk Can Hide a Corrupt Heart – Judas’ words sounded righteous, but his heart was selfish. This warns us that not everyone who speaks in spiritual terms truly loves Jesus (Matthew 7:21-23).
3. Jesus is More Valuable Than Any Earthly Possession – Mary understood that nothing was too costly to give to Jesus. Judas, on the other hand, valued money more than the Son of God.
4. Greed Blinds People to Spiritual Truth – Judas was so focused on financial gain that he missed the reality of who Jesus was. This serves as a warning against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10).

Literary Analysis

John’s Gospel often contrasts light and darkness, devotion and betrayal. Here, we see a striking contrast between Mary and Judas:

• Mary’s love is extravagant – She gives generously to honor Jesus.
• Judas’ greed is deceptive – He pretends to care about the poor but is actually looking out for himself.

This verse also highlights irony—Judas is worried about money for the poor, yet soon he would betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). The one who criticizes Mary for being “wasteful” would soon sell out the Son of God for a much smaller sum.

The mention of “a year’s wages” emphasizes the value of Mary’s gift. This wasn’t just a casual offering—it was a sacrificial act of love, something Judas could never understand because his heart was focused on temporary wealth.

Biblical Cross-References

1. John 12:3-6 – The full story of Mary’s anointing and Judas’ response.
2. Matthew 26:14-16 – Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
3. John 13:2, 27 – Satan enters Judas, leading him to carry out his betrayal.
4. 1 Timothy 6:10 – The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
5. Matthew 6:24 – You cannot serve both God and money.
6. Proverbs 19:17 – True generosity is when we give to the poor with the right heart.
7. Amos 5:21-24 – God rejects false righteousness when the heart is not right.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Judas’ words remind us that outward religious talk doesn’t always reflect a true heart for God. It’s easy to say the right things, but what matters is where our heart is. Are we truly devoted to Jesus, or do we just put on a religious show?

This verse also warns against valuing money or possessions more than Christ. The love of money has led many people away from faith, just as it did with Judas. We must be careful not to let greed, jealousy, or self-interest take priority over our devotion to Jesus.

Mary’s example challenges us: Do we see Jesus as worthy of our best, or do we hold back from Him? True worship means offering Him everything, even when others don’t understand or approve.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He knows the heart. Jesus knew Mary’s love was genuine, and He knew Judas’ heart was corrupt. He wasn’t fooled by outward appearances, and He isn’t fooled today.

Even though Judas was on the path to betrayal, Jesus still gave him time to repent. This shows God’s patience and grace. He desires that all would turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9), but He won’t force anyone to love Him.

At the same time, God’s love is displayed in Mary’s act of devotion. Worship comes from a response to God’s love—Mary had experienced Jesus’ power firsthand when He raised her brother Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44). She understood that He was worthy of everything.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

John 12:5 connects directly to Jesus in several ways:

1. Jesus is Worthy of Our Greatest Treasure – Mary saw that no possession was too valuable to give to Jesus. This reflects the truth that knowing Christ is more valuable than anything else (Philippians 3:8).
2. Jesus is Greater Than Money or Status – Judas valued financial gain, but Jesus taught that life is not about material wealth (Luke 12:15).
3. Jesus Was Rejected for Money – Judas’ obsession with wealth led him to betray Jesus for silver (Matthew 26:14-16). This shows the danger of loving money more than loving Christ.
4. Jesus Sees the Heart – He knew Judas’ true motives, just as He knows ours (John 2:24-25).

Ultimately, this verse reminds us that our response to Jesus reveals where our heart truly is. Are we like Mary, giving Him everything? Or are we like Judas, only pretending to follow while secretly living for ourselves?

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does Judas’ response reveal about his heart?
2. How does Mary’s generosity challenge the way you think about worship?
3. Have you ever struggled with valuing money or material things over Jesus? How can you guard your heart against that?
4. Why do you think people sometimes criticize acts of devotion to Jesus?
5. What are some ways you can show extravagant love for Jesus in your own life?

John 12:5 is a powerful reminder that our attitude toward Jesus reveals our true priorities. May we be like Mary, willing to give Jesus our best, knowing that He is worth far more than anything this world has to offer.