Mark 14:7

The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to the disciples after they criticize a woman who anoints Him. He addresses them during the final hours before His arrest and crucifixion.

The words — πτωχούς (ptōchous) literally means "poor" or "needy," and πᾶντοτε (pantote) translates to "always." These terms establish a permanent condition alongside a continuous opportunity for aid.

The thread — The statement echoes Deuteronomy 15:11 regarding the perpetual presence of poverty in the land. It appears verbatim in Matthew 26:11, while James 2:14 later connects genuine faith to practical support for the needy.

Why it lands — The text states that poverty will persist and grants ongoing permission to assist those in need. It demands immediate recognition of Jesus' impending departure and prioritizes responding to His presence over ritual defense or criticism.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 15:11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.
Matthew 26:11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.
James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
1 John 3:16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,
John 12:7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.
John 13:33 Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
John 16:5 Now, however, I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
John 16:28 I came from the Father and entered the world. In turn, I will leave the world and go to the Father.”
John 17:11 I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.