Jesus’ statement, “The poor you will always have with you,” is often misunderstood as indifference toward poverty. But when we look closely at the context—Mary anointing Jesus before His death—it becomes clear He wasn’t dismissing the poor. Instead, He was highlighting the importance of honoring Him in a unique moment while also pointing back to Scripture that commands ongoing care for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:11). He saw through Judas’ fake concern and reminded His followers that genuine worship and love for others aren’t in conflict—they work together.
This message still applies today. Jesus calls us to live with discernment, prioritize worship, and act with compassion. Caring for the poor isn’t optional—it’s a consistent biblical command. At the same time, there are moments when devotion to Christ takes a visible, even extravagant, form. If you want to better understand how Jesus’ words challenge our hearts, values, and motives, keep reading for a deeper dive into the full meaning and application.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “The poor you will always have with you” and maybe even wondered what Jesus meant by it. At first glance, it might seem dismissive—as if Jesus didn’t care about poverty. But that’s not the case at all.
To really understand this statement, we need to look at where Jesus said it, why He said it, and what the Bible tells us about caring for the poor.
Let’s break it down together.
The Context: Where Did Jesus Say This?
Jesus made this statement in Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, and John 12:8. All three passages tell the same story with slightly different details:
Mary of Bethany pours a very expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. Some people—especially Judas Iscariot—get upset. They say the perfume could’ve been sold and the money given to the poor.
Here’s what Jesus says in response:
“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” — Matthew 26:11 (NIV)
At first glance, it sounds like Jesus is shrugging off the poor. But He’s not. He’s making a point about priorities—and something bigger is happening.
What Jesus Didn’t Mean
Let’s start by clearing up a common misunderstanding.
Jesus wasn’t saying that poverty doesn’t matter.
He wasn’t saying:
- Don’t help the poor.
- It’s useless to try.
- Their situation is permanent and should be ignored.
In fact, the Bible is full of commands to care for the poor.
Let’s look at a few examples:
- Deuteronomy 15:11 – “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy.”
- Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
- Isaiah 58:10 – “Spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed.”
So if Jesus wasn’t dismissing the poor, what was He doing?
What Jesus Did Mean
Jesus was addressing the moment. He was saying, “There’s always going to be a time to care for the poor—but this moment, right now, is unique.”
Let’s look closer.
1. He Was Preparing for His Death
This event happened just days before the crucifixion. Jesus knew His time was short. When Mary anointed Him, He saw it as a beautiful act of worship—preparing His body for burial.
In Mark 14:8, Jesus says:
“She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.”
He wanted His disciples to understand that He was the priority in that moment.
It wasn’t about ignoring the poor. It was about recognizing that Jesus—the Son of God—was about to make the ultimate sacrifice. Mary understood that and acted with love and honor.
2. He Was Quoting Scripture
Jesus was actually referencing Deuteronomy 15:11 when He said “the poor will always be with you.” The full verse says:
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded…”
So He wasn’t making up a new idea. He was pointing them back to the Torah—reminding them they still had a lifelong obligation to care for the poor.
It’s a direct connection between worshiping God and caring for others.
3. He Was Calling Out Hypocrisy
In John 12:6, we learn something important about Judas:
“He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief…”
Judas wasn’t genuinely concerned about helping others. He wanted control over the money.
Jesus saw through that. He wasn’t dismissing generosity—He was exposing fake concern.
The Bigger Picture: What Does This Mean for You?
So how do you take this and apply it?
1. Jesus Cares About the Poor—and So Should You
It’s clear from Scripture that helping the poor is a core part of following Jesus.
- In Matthew 25:35–40, Jesus says that caring for the hungry, the thirsty, and the imprisoned is the same as doing it for Him.
- In James 1:27, we’re told that “pure religion” is caring for orphans and widows.
Jesus wasn’t against giving to the poor. He was all for it—just not at the expense of worshiping Him or using it as a cover for selfishness.
2. Worship Is Never a Waste
Mary’s act of worship seemed extravagant to others. But to Jesus, it was beautiful.
Sometimes you’ll feel called to give or act in ways that don’t make sense to others. That’s okay. What matters is your heart.
Jesus honored her for putting Him first. That kind of worship still matters today.
3. Recognize the Moment You’re In
There are times for giving, times for worship, and times for both.
Jesus’ words remind us to live with awareness. Ask yourself:
- Is this a moment to give?
- Is this a moment to honor Jesus?
- Is this a moment to do both?
It’s not about choosing one over the other—it’s about seeing what’s needed right now.
Key Takeaways
Let’s summarize what Jesus really meant:
✅ He wasn’t dismissing the poor.
He was quoting Scripture and pointing out a truth: poverty will always exist in a broken world.
✅ He was highlighting the importance of worship.
Mary’s act of devotion mattered, especially in that moment before His death.
✅ He expected ongoing generosity.
The Bible consistently commands us to care for the poor—not just once, but continually.
✅ He saw through false motives.
Judas used the poor as a cover for his greed. Jesus called it out. Motive matters.
Final Thoughts
Jesus’ statement, “The poor you will always have with you,” isn’t a reason to ignore poverty. It’s a reminder that worship and compassion go hand-in-hand.
You’re called to love Jesus deeply and care for others faithfully. It’s not either/or—it’s both.
So yes, the poor will always be with us. But that means the opportunity to serve, give, and love others will always be with us too.
And that’s exactly what Jesus wants you to do.
🔎 FAQs: What Did Jesus Really Mean When He Said “The Poor Will Always Be With Us”?
1. Where in the Bible did Jesus say “The poor you will always have with you”?
Jesus said this in Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, and John 12:8 during the event when Mary anointed Him with expensive perfume.
2. Was Jesus saying we shouldn’t help the poor?
No, not at all. Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 15:11, which commands generosity to the poor. He never told anyone to ignore the poor.
3. What was the context of Jesus saying this?
Mary had just anointed Jesus before His crucifixion. He was explaining that this act of worship was timely and deeply significant.
4. Why did Jesus say this instead of encouraging the donation?
Jesus knew His death was near. Honoring Him in that moment took precedence. Helping the poor is ongoing, but this was a once-in-history moment.
5. Was Jesus quoting the Old Testament?
Yes. He was referencing Deuteronomy 15:11, which acknowledges poverty while commanding people to care for the poor.
6. Was Judas sincere in wanting to help the poor?
No. According to John 12:6, Judas was a thief and used concern for the poor as a cover for selfish motives.
7. Does this mean poverty is permanent?
In a fallen world, yes—poverty will exist. But that doesn’t mean we ignore it. Christians are called to fight poverty through love and generosity.
8. How does this apply to us today?
It teaches us to honor Jesus in the moment while staying committed to serving the poor. True faith expresses itself in both worship and action.
9. Was Jesus against giving to the poor?
Not at all. Jesus constantly taught and modeled generosity, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and caring for the marginalized.
10. How should I respond to Jesus’ words today?
Worship Jesus with sincerity and live generously. Recognize the sacredness of honoring Him while faithfully caring for others.
