John 12:6

Before John set down Christs answer, he doth first take off Judas his mask, and sheweth that this did not proceed from his care of the poore, but that having the bag in his custody, wherein any money Christ had was kept, and being a thiefe, he was sorry he lost such a prize, whereupon he might have preyed. He is called a thiefe, either because he had already interverted some of that money which was in his keeping, to his private use, or because he had purposed so to do, being resolved to forsake his Master, since he heard of his sufferings, and that they were now approaching. Whence learn, 1. Let men pretend never so fair, to cover the naughtinesse of their hearts; Yet Christ knoweth all the secret deceipts of the heart, and how contrary their intentions are to their pretences; for, here by his light, it is cleared; that he cared not for the poor. 2. As Christ knoweth the naughtinesse of every heart; so he will, in due time, one way or other, discover what is within men: for, here the vail is taken off Judas, This he said, not that he cared for the poor. 3. Whatever hypocrites pretend, yet it is but themselves, and some interest or advantage of their own, they drive at in all they do; for, Judass’s aime in all this was, to reap advantage to him selfe. 4. It is egregious theft before the Lord, when men do carry on their avaritious designes under pretence of caring for the poore; and when, in affection or practice, they are not faithful in what is committed to their trust, but do intervert that to their private use, which is designed for publike or pious uses; for, thus was Judas a thiefe, in taking to himselfe what was to be employed for the use of Christ and his disciples or for the poor. 5. Riches and the bag are not in such esteem with Christ, but that the basest of his followers may have them in keeping, and under their power; for, of all the twelve, Judas had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 6. When Christ suffers mens corrupt affections, and suteable tentations and objects, to meet, it is a sad judgement and snare upon them, and a presage that he will give them up to a neck break; for, it was a sad judgement upon Judas, that being a thiefe, he had the bag, and so wanted not an opportunity to satisfie his covetous disposition.