6 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.

Other Translations of John 12:6

King James Version

6 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.

English Standard Version

6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

The Message

6 He said this not because he cared two cents about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of their common funds, but also embezzled them.

New King James Version

6 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.

New Living Translation

6 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 12:6

Commentary on John 12:1-11

(Read John 12:1-11)

Christ had formerly blamed Martha for being troubled with much serving. But she did not leave off serving, as some, who when found fault with for going too far in one way, peevishly run too far another way; she still served, but within hearing of Christ's gracious words. Mary gave a token of love to Christ, who had given real tokens of his love to her and her family. God's Anointed should be our Anointed. Has God poured on him the oil of gladness above his fellows, let us pour on him the ointment of our best affections. In Judas a foul sin is gilded over with a plausible pretence. We must not think that those do no acceptable service, who do it not in our way. The reigning love of money is heart-theft. The grace of Christ puts kind comments on pious words and actions, makes the best of what is amiss, and the most of what is good. Opportunities are to be improved; and those first and most vigorously, which are likely to be the shortest. To consult to hinder the further effect of the miracle, by putting Lazarus to death, is such wickedness, malice, and folly, as cannot be explained, except by the desperate enmity of the human heart against God. They resolved that the man should die whom the Lord had raised to life. The success of the gospel often makes wicked men so angry, that they speak and act as if they hoped to obtain a victory over the Almighty himself.