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John 12:4–8

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii2 and ngiven to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and nhaving charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, Leave her alone, so that she may keep it3 for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

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John 12:4–8 — The New International Version (NIV)

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He 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 help himself to what was put into it.

Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

John 12:4–8 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 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. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

John 12:4–8 — New Living Translation (NLT)

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 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.

Jesus replied, Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

John 12:4–8 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 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.

But Jesus said, Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

John 12:4–8 — New Century Version (NCV)

Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ followers who would later turn against him, was there. Judas said, “This perfume was worth an entire year’s wages. Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?” But Judas did not really care about the poor; he said this because he was a thief. He was the one who kept the money box, and he often stole from it.

Jesus answered, “Leave her alone. It was right for her to save this perfume for today, the day for me to be prepared for burial. You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.”

John 12:4–8 — American Standard Version (ASV)

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, that should betray him, saith, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor? Now this he said, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein. Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying. For the poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always.

John 12:4–8 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

One of his disciples therefore, Judas son of Simon, Iscariote, who was about to deliver him up, says, Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? But he said this, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief and had the bag, and carried what was put into it. Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to have kept this for the day of my preparation for burial; for ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always.

John 12:4–8 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray him, asked, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for a high price and the money given to the poor?” (Judas didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the moneybag and carried the contributions.) Jesus said to Judas, “Leave her alone! She has done this to prepare me for the day I will be placed in a tomb. You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you.” 

John 12:4–8 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray Him), said, “Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?” He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.

Jesus answered, Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

John 12:4–8 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

John 12:4–8 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was going to betray him) said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (Now he said this not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, he used to steal what was put into it.) So Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my preparation for burial. For you have the poor with you always, but you do not always have me.”

John 12:4–8 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

But Judas Iscariot didn’t like what Mary did. He was one of Jesus’ disciples. Later he was going to hand Jesus over to his enemies. Judas said, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold? Why wasn’t the money given to poor people? It was worth a year’s pay.”

He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor. He said it because he was a thief. Judas was in charge of the money bag. He used to help himself to what was in it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “The perfume was meant for the day I am buried. You will always have the poor among you. But you won’t always have me.”

John 12:4–8 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said,

Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?

Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.

Therefore Jesus said, Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.

For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”


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