John 12:4

John 12:4, in plain English

Judas Iscariot—the disciple who would betray Jesus—objects to what Mary has done.

Why it's here

John makes sure you know exactly who is complaining and where his story ends up. The man who will sell Jesus for silver objects to this 'waste.'

Who's speaking

The narrator identifies the critic and foreshadows his betrayal.

Where it sits in the story

The contrast couldn't be sharper: Mary pours out everything in love. Judas counts the cost and calls it waste. One gives everything; the other will sell everything.

The scholarly reading

Judas Iscariot is identified as the objector, with John adding the proleptic note 'ho mellōn auton paradidonai' (the one about to betray Him)—framing Judas' criticism within his trajectory toward betrayal.

Language and setting

John alone identifies the critic as Judas (cf. Matthew 26:8 attributes the complaint to 'the disciples'). The editorial identification of Judas as the future betrayer colors the objection as hypocritical from the outset.

Voice

The narrator identifies Judas Iscariot, already marked as the future betrayer, as the one who objects to Mary's act.

Significance

John unmasks the critic: Judas, whose destiny as betrayer is already sealed, objects to Mary's lavish worship—setting up the contrast between genuine devotion and counterfeit concern.

2So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.

3Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,

5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?”

6Judas 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.

Read all of John 12 — Mary anoints Jesus' feet with costly perfume, the crowds wave palm branches, and Jesus announces that his hour has finally arrived.