Bible Strands
Matthew 26:11
The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples to defend a woman's act of anointing him with costly perfume. He speaks during the final days before his crucifixion, positioning the act as a preparation for his burial.
The words — πτωχοὺς (ptōchous) denotes "poor" or destitute individuals, while πὲντοτε (pantote) translates literally to "always" or "perpetually." These terms establish a permanent earthly condition contrasted with a temporary physical presence.
The thread — This declaration directly quotes Deuteronomy 15:11 regarding the unceasing presence of poverty in the land. The Synoptic tradition records the identical statement in Mark 14:7 and John 12:8 to preserve the same historical moment.
Why it lands — The text states that the poor will perpetually remain among the people, but Jesus will not remain physically with them. This contrast requires the reader to prioritize the immediate opportunity to honor Christ over deferring practical duties to an indefinite future.
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 always with you; 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.
- 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.
- John 12:8 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”
- 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 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 14:19 In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.
- John 16:5 Now, however, I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’
- Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
- Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- Matthew 25:42 For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink,