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Commentaries
English
John
  
4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said,5"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"6This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money-box, he used to take what was put into it.


Judas loved money more than he loved Jesus, preferring the material to genuine faith. So he sought to explain the sacrifice in terms of cash, ignoring the spiritual blessing linked to it. He failed to grasp the sense of Mary’s adoration, thanksgiving and surrender to Christ. Whoever loves money becomes a devil. Strangely, he concealed his hatred for Jesus with a bogus piety, as if he purposed a charitable act to relieve the poor. He did not actually feel for them, nor wish to give them anything, rather he wished to acquire the money for himself. Charity for him was a cover for theft, keeping more in his pocket than he gave to the poor: Not faithful in small things, but a thief in intent and thought.
Jesus did not examine any accounts of this treasurer, but bore with him till the end, though he knew of his treachery and misdeeds. Judas was a robber and a swindler, loving himself and fielding to the enticements of riches, and a slave to it. Brother, you cannot serve God and money. You will love the one and hate the other. Do not fool yourself. Is God your aim or is it a life of ease?