Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 12:6

γλωσσόκομον. More classical form γλωσσοκομεῖον, from κομέω. It literally means a ‘case for mouthpieces’ of musical instruments, and hence any portable chest. Its occurring in LXX. only of the chest into which offerings for the Temple were put (2 Chronicles 24:8; 2 Chronicles 24:10-11) may have influenced S. John in using it of the box in which the funds of the little company, mainly consisting of offerings (Luke 8:3), were kept. The word occurs in N.T. only here and John 13:29.

ἐβάσταζεν. Either used to carry, or used to carry away, i. e. steal: comp. John 20:15. The latter is more probable: he took what was put therein. The καί after κλέπτης ἧν is epexegetic and introduces an explanation of the way in which he was a thief. S. Augustine, commenting on ‘portabat,’ which he found in the Italic Version, and which survives in the Vulgate, says “portabat an exportabat? sed ministerio portabat, furto exportabat.” We have the same play in ‘lift,’ e.g. ‘shop-lifting;’ and in the old use of ‘convey:’ “To steal” … “Convey the wise it call.” Merry Wives of Windsor, I. 3. “O good! Convey?—Conveyers are you all.” Richard II. IV. 1. The common meaning, ‘used to carry,’ gives very little sense. Of course if he carried the box he carried τὰ βάλλομενα, the gifts that were being put into it from time to time: comp. John 5:7; John 13:2; John 20:25.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

John 12:6

Old Testament

New Testament