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.
He didn't actually care about helping poor people, he was just saying that because he was stealing money from their group fund that he was supposed to be managing.
Sometimes the loudest voice 'caring' about others is just looking out for themselves.
📚 Historical Context
In the Gospel of John, this verse exposes Judas Iscariot's hypocrisy during an event where Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, as Judas feigned concern for the poor while secretly stealing from the group's money bag. Judas, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, was entrusted with managing their finances, but his greed revealed his true character amid the growing tensions leading to Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion. This highlights the cultural context of first-century Jewish society, where disciples shared resources but faced internal moral failures.
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