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Joh 12:6. Οὐχ ὅτι, not because) It is hypocrisy when one thing is said, whilst another thing is cared for [is the real object of solicitude]. Avarice makes the poor its pretext, and that in serious earnest at times: for it hates even genuine munificence.-κλέπτης, a thief) It is a more saddening expression a disciple [yet] a thief, which results from comparing this verse with Joh 12:4 [“one of His disciples, Judas”], than if it were simply said a thief: and so a brother, a fornicator [1Co 5:11], and such like expressions.-γλωσσόκομον) So the Septuag. for the Hebr. ארון, 2Ch 24:8; 2Ch 24:10, etc., and in cod. Alex. 2Sa 6:11. It seems to me desirable, in this place in particular, to observe the nature of the apostolic style. The sacred writers were not solicitous as to whether fastidious ears were likely to judge each particular word to be Attic or a barbarism: a fact which may be established sufficiently even by this one argument, that of the terms which the Atticists examine [as dubious in point of good style], a considerable part occur in the New Testament. For instance, let Phrynichus be looked into as to the term γλωσσόκομον;[310] also Thomas Magister on ἵνα; Mœris on ἘΝΕΤΕΙΛΆΜΗΝ; with which word compare this passage, and Rev 22:14 [ΟἹ ΠΟΙΟῦΝΤΕς Τ. ἘΝΤΟΛᾺς, ἽΝΑ ἜΣΤΑΙ], Mat 28:20 [ὌΣΑ ἘΝΕΤΕΙΛΆΜΗΝ]; so that they seem to have enriched their collections [of forms not pure Attic] out of the New Testament itself. Moreover the Sacred writers most exactly observe the proper [strict] signification of words: for instance, Joh 1:1; Joh 1:17. notes:[311] inasmuch as accuracy in this latter respect, not in respect to the former [purity of Attic style], was conducive to making the Divine mind known.-εἶχε) was having: either he used to have it always, or he was having it then [in his turn] after the other disciples, at that the last time. Judas himself seems to have taken to himself this office; which, however, was left to him, even though he was a thief: ch. Joh 13:29, “Some thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or that he should give something to the poor.”-τὰ βαλλόμενα, which were contributed to it [what was put therein]) Jesus was poor and needy.-ἐβάσταζεν, he was carrying) for the ordinary necessities of the Saviour’s bodily sustenance.
[310] For which the ancients used γλωσσοκομεῖον and γλωσσοκόμιον, and in the sense of the receptacle of the mouth-piece of the tibia or flageolet, not in the recent sense, a coffer or purse.-E. and T.
[311] The distinction is accurately observed between ἦν-ἐγένετο-ἐδόθη, so that one could not be substituted for the other without injury to the sense.-E. and T.