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.

JOHN 12:6KJV
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John 12:6 (KJV)

What does John 12:6 mean?

John 12:6 explains that Judas Iscariot did not truly care about the poor when he objected to the use of expensive ointment on Jesus, but was actually motivated by his own dishonesty, since he was in charge of the group's money bag and would steal from it. The verse reveals Judas's real intentions behind his words.

In this scene, John the Gospel writer is giving background information to the reader about Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’s disciples. Judas had just criticized Mary for anointing Jesus with costly perfume, claiming the money could have helped the poor. John clarifies that Judas’s concern was not genuine, but rather a cover for his habit of stealing from the shared funds he managed for the disciples.

The Greek behind John 12:6

  • ὁ γλωσσόκομον (ho glōssokomon, "the bag"): This word refers to a money box or bag, often used for keeping communal funds. The detail that Judas "had the bag" shows he was trusted with the group's finances, which makes his theft more serious.
  • ἐβάσταζεν (ebastazen, "bare"): This verb often means "to carry," but here it is understood as "to take for oneself" or "to pilfer." The Greek suggests Judas was secretly taking money from the bag for his own use, not just carrying it.

Why John 12:6 matters

  • John 12:6 clears up any misunderstanding about Judas’s motives, showing that his criticism was not about genuine care for the poor but about self-interest and deceit.
  • The verse highlights a contrast between outward appearances and inward reality, preparing the reader for Judas’s later betrayal of Jesus.
  • By mentioning Judas’s role as treasurer and his theft, John sets the stage for understanding the deeper issues of trust and betrayal among Jesus’s closest followers.

Where else these words appear

“bag” Greek G1101 · used in 2 verses

  • John 13:29 For 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.

“cared” Greek G3199 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 22:16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
  • Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

“thief” Greek G2812 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

“bare” Greek G941 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • Luke 22:10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
  • Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.