This verse is introduced with the same particle (de) as verse 4.

The verb cared about is the same one used in 10.13, which speaks of the hired man who does not care for the sheep.

Only in this verse in the Gospels is Judas described as a thief.

In languages in which it is necessary to place the positive before the negative clause, the first part of verse 6 may be altered to read “He said this because he was a thief; he didn’t say it because he cared for the poor” or “… he said this, not because he cared for the poor.”

The word translated money bag (“purse” in many translations) was originally used of a box used to carry mouthpieces of flutes. Later it was used of boxes in general, but more specifically with the meaning “money box” (so some translations). The word is used again in 13.29.

A literal translation of he carried the money bag may suggest that Judas was a low-ranking disciple who had the burden of carrying the money for the others. The implication, however, is simply that he was treasurer of the group. This meaning may be expressed in some languages as “he had charge of the money that belonged to all of them” or “he was the man responsible for keeping the money.”

Would help himself from it indicates customary or repeated action. The translation should not imply that Judas took everything that was placed in the money bag. The meaning is that Judas had the habit of helping himself from the contributions given to the disciples to be dispersed to the poor. Jerusalem Bible, though rather high level, conveys this meaning: “he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions.” One may also say “he took money for himself from time to time” or “from time to time he took some of the money and used it for himself.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .