Matthew 26:11

For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

For {G1063} ye have {G2192} the poor {G4434} always {G3842} with {G3326} you {G1438}; but {G1161} me {G1691} ye have {G2192} not {G3756} always {G3842}.

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

Matthew 26:11, spoken by Jesus during the anointing at Bethany, addresses a crucial distinction between ongoing acts of charity and unique opportunities for direct devotion to Him. This verse offers profound insights into priorities in discipleship and worship.

Context

This statement by Jesus comes in response to the disciples' indignation (specifically Judas Iscariot, as noted in John 12:4) when a woman pours expensive alabaster ointment on His head. They argued the perfume could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor. Jesus defends the woman's act, highlighting its significance in light of His impending crucifixion.

Key Themes

  • Prioritizing Unique Moments of Worship: Jesus emphasizes that His physical presence on earth was temporary and fleeting. The woman's act was a unique, sacrificial outpouring of love and devotion directly to Him, a moment that would not be repeatable after His ascension. This highlights that while good works are important, there are also irreplaceable moments of direct worship and service to Christ.
  • The Enduring Reality of Poverty: The phrase "the poor always with you" acknowledges the perpetual presence of poverty and the ongoing biblical mandate to care for the needy. This echoes Old Testament commands, such as Deuteronomy 15:11, which states, "For the poor shall never cease out of the land." Jesus is not diminishing the importance of charity but placing the woman's act in a specific, eschatological context.
  • The Nature of Sacrificial Devotion: The woman's act was one of costly and extravagant worship, preparing Jesus for His burial (Matthew 26:12). Jesus' defense underscores that genuine love for Him sometimes involves acts of devotion that may seem "wasteful" from a purely utilitarian perspective but are deeply meaningful in His eyes.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "always with you" (πάντοτε ἔχετε τοὺς πτωχοὺς, pantote echēte tous ptōchous) literally means "you always have the poor." This reinforces the idea of a continuous, unending reality regarding the presence of the poor in human society. Conversely, Jesus' statement "but me ye have not always" highlights the unique and temporary nature of His physical, earthly ministry before His death and ascension.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:11 prompts believers to consider how they balance acts of compassion and charity with direct, intentional worship and devotion to Christ. While the call to care for the poor remains constant, there are also specific, unrepeatable opportunities to honor and serve Jesus directly, whether through personal worship, obedience, or sharing the Gospel. It challenges us to discern God's priorities and embrace moments of costly devotion to Him, even when they might be misunderstood by others.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 15:11

    For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

  • Mark 14:7

    For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

  • John 12:8

    For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

  • John 16:28

    I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

  • John 14:19

    Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

  • John 16:5

    But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

  • John 13:33

    Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

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