Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 26:9

"For this [ointment] might have been sold for much, and given to the poor." — Matthew 26:9 (ASV)

This ointment might have been sold for much — Mark and John agree in giving the traitor’s calculation. It might have been sold for three hundred denarii, a laborer’s wages for nearly a whole year (Matthew 20:2), and enough to feed a crowd of more than 7,500 people (John 6:7).

John adds the damning fact that this pretended zeal for the poor was a cloak for the irritation of disappointed greed: He was a thief, and bare the bag. He was, in other words, the treasurer or bursar of the traveling company, who received the offerings of the wealthier disciples and distributed them for their necessary expenses or as alms to the poor (see notes on John 12:6 and John 13:29). This was the “one talent” given to him “according to his ability,” and in dealing with it, he proved fraudulent and faithless.