The Greek word “glossokomon”

Found only in Jn. 12:6; 13:29, the Greek noun “glossokomon” meant “case for money,” “purse,” or “little box.”  John’s use of this word suggests Jesus and the apostles kept some funds to pay for their needed supplies and perhaps help the poor.

Originally this container was where “musicians kept the mouthpieces or reeds of their instruments.  From that, the idea evidently was attached to it of a bag carried about by any member of a company, such as that of the disciples, on behalf of his companions” (Ryle, John, 2:359).