Did you know Judas was a thief? Did Jesus know?

Did you know Judas was a thief? Not just suspect it, but do you actually remember reading it? Did Jesus know? If Jesus knew Judas was a thief, why would He allow Judas to be the keeper of the money for the twelve disciples?

If you didn't already know, finding out Judas was a thief probably isn't a surprise. I mean, he sold out Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

But did you know the Bible records that Judas was a thief?

It's one of those things that's easy to miss. We're so focused on Judas selling out Jesus that we can just breeze right through one sentence about him being a thief.

And besides, if whichever Gospel author knew Judas was a thief, why was he allowed to continue to be with the group?

On top of that, if Jesus knew, why was Judas allowed to steal money from His inner circle?

It all sounds so weird.

Judas was a thief.

And yet, one of the Gospels does record that Judas was indeed a thief.

When we read the passage where this little tidbit is revealed, we see even more reasons why it can be missed. Or forgotten.

John wrote that Judas was a thief

Jesus Anointed at Bethany - John

12:1-8 Ref—Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Lk 7:37-39

Jn 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Jn 12:4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’” 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.

Jn 12:7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Jn 12:9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

Did you see it?

Jn 12:4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’” 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.

Mark did not write that Judas was a thief

Now, if John wrote that, how come Mark didn't include it when he wrote about the same event?

Jesus Anointed at Bethany - Mark

14:1-11 pp — Mt 26:2-16
14:1, 2, 10, 11 pp — Lk 22:1-6
14:3-8 Ref—Jn 12:1-8

Mk 14:1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

Mk 14:3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

Mk 14:4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.