Charles Ellicott Commentary John 12:5

"Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?" — John 12:5 (ASV)

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence?—Both the earlier Gospels preface this estimate with a reference to the use of the ointment as actual waste. St. Matthew says only, that it might have been sold for much. St. Mark, that it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, that is, in actual value, the yearly wage of a working man, and therefore the food that would have maintained a poor man’s household for a whole year. (Compare to the note on John 6:7.) St. Mark adds, and they were angry at her. (Compare to the note on John 11:33.)