Jesus wasn’t criticizing poverty when He said, “The poor you will always have with you”—He was challenging the disciples’ attitude. In Matthew 26, a woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus, an act of pure worship. The disciples, led by Judas, called it wasteful and claimed the money should’ve gone to the poor. But Jesus exposed their hypocrisy, showing that their concern wasn’t genuine. He reminded them (and us) that honoring Him should never be dismissed as waste, especially when it comes from a heart of faith.
This moment wasn’t about neglecting the poor—it was about not missing what matters most. Jesus was days away from the cross, and Mary saw the moment for what it was: sacred. Worship and compassion aren’t opposites, but worship fuels true compassion. Want to understand why Jesus quoted Deuteronomy and how this story challenges our motives today? Keep reading for a deeper dive into this powerful lesson.
When Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me” (Matthew 26:11), some people wonder—was He criticizing poverty itself, or pointing out something deeper about the disciples’ attitude?
Let’s break this down clearly, using the biblical context, some real-world examples, and the heart of Jesus’ message.
The Context: A Costly Act of Devotion
To understand Jesus’ words, you’ve got to know what was happening.
In Matthew 26:6-13, a woman (identified in John 12 as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus) pours an expensive jar of perfume on Jesus’ head. The disciples—especially Judas Iscariot—are outraged.
They say:
“Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” (Matthew 26:8-9)
Seems like a noble complaint, right?
But Jesus responds sharply:
“Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me… The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” (Matthew 26:10-11)
So, what’s going on?
1. Jesus Wasn’t Criticizing Poverty
First, let’s be clear—Jesus wasn’t speaking against the poor. He wasn’t saying poverty is acceptable or that we shouldn’t care.
Actually, Jesus consistently advocated for the poor:
- Luke 4:18: “He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”
- Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
- Mark 10:21: “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”
Poverty isn’t something Jesus endorsed—it’s something He came to redeem and challenge. But here’s the thing:
Jesus wasn’t dismissing poverty. He was exposing hypocrisy.
2. The Real Issue: The Disciples’ Attitude
Jesus saw through the words of the disciples—especially Judas. In John 12:6, it says:
“He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
That changes everything.
Judas wasn’t motivated by compassion. He was masking greed with fake concern. Jesus knew that. He called it out—not with a direct rebuke, but with a statement that cut to the heart:
“You will not always have me.”
Jesus was saying: You’re missing the moment. This woman understands what’s about to happen. You don’t. Her act of love mattered more than a theoretical gift to the poor—especially when their “concern” wasn’t even genuine.
3. “The Poor You Will Always Have With You” – A Reference to Deuteronomy
Jesus wasn’t just making a statement. He was quoting 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.”
In other words, His audience would recognize that Jesus wasn’t giving an excuse to ignore poverty. He was reminding them of the ongoing responsibility to care for the poor—while also highlighting the uniqueness of the moment they were in.
So when He said, “You will always have the poor with you,” He was:
- Quoting Scripture,
- Reminding them of their duty,
- And contrasting that duty with the urgency of honoring Him before His death.
4. Spiritual Priorities: Worship Over Waste
To the disciples, Mary’s act looked wasteful.
To Jesus, it was worship.
Let’s be honest: even today, it’s easy to get cynical. You might see money spent on church buildings, music, missions, or service projects and think, “Couldn’t that help the poor instead?” It’s a fair question—but it depends on the motive.
Jesus’ point is simple: Worship and care for the poor are not in conflict—but worship comes first.
- Mary saw that Jesus was heading to the cross.
- She acted in faith and love, not calculation.
- The disciples were focused on what looked good—not what was actually good.
5. What Does This Mean for You Today?
Here’s how this applies directly:
a. Don’t Use Poverty as a Cover for Other Agendas
If your real goal is pride, control, or image—but you mask it with “helping others”—Jesus sees right through that.
Check your motives. Always.
b. Care for the Poor Without Losing Sight of Worship
You can—and should—give generously to those in need (Proverbs 19:17). But don’t pit that against time, money, or effort spent honoring Jesus directly.
Your devotion to Him will fuel deeper compassion for others.
c. Don’t Miss Sacred Moments
Mary didn’t know everything—but she knew enough to pour her perfume.
Are there moments where God’s calling you to act in love, even if others don’t understand it? Don’t miss them.
6. Key Takeaways
Let’s sum this up with some clear points:
- Jesus wasn’t criticizing the poor. He was challenging false concern.
- His statement quoted Deuteronomy and highlighted a greater truth: you’ll always have opportunities to help the poor—but this moment of worship was unique.
- Judas and the disciples missed the heart of the woman’s action. Jesus didn’t.
- Worship and social justice aren’t opposites. Both matter—but the order matters too.
- You’re called to give both your heart and your resources—to Jesus, and to those in need.
Final Thoughts
Jesus always cared for the poor. But in Matthew 26, He exposed something more dangerous than poverty—pretending to care while actually chasing selfish gain.
So ask yourself:
- Are you more worried about looking generous than being faithful?
- Are you judging someone’s worship because it doesn’t fit your box?
- Are you in danger of missing Jesus in the name of “doing good”?
Don’t make the same mistake the disciples did. See Jesus clearly, love Him deeply, and then let that love overflow into real, generous compassion for the poor.
FAQs – Was Jesus Criticizing Poverty or the Disciples’ Attitude?
1. Was Jesus really criticizing the poor in Matthew 26:11?
No, Jesus wasn’t criticizing the poor. He was pointing out the disciples’ flawed attitude. His statement, “The poor you will always have with you,” wasn’t dismissive—it referenced Deuteronomy 15:11, which actually calls for generosity toward the poor.
2. What did Jesus mean by “The poor you will always have with you”?
Jesus was reminding the disciples of an ongoing responsibility to care for the poor. He was also contrasting that with the unique, fleeting opportunity to honor Him before His death.
3. Was Judas sincere in wanting to help the poor?
No, Judas wasn’t sincere. According to John 12:6, Judas didn’t care about the poor—he wanted to steal from the money bag. His objection masked selfish intentions, not compassion.
4. Why did Jesus defend the woman who anointed Him?
Jesus defended her because she recognized the significance of the moment. Her act of pouring perfume was an expression of deep devotion. Jesus called it “a beautiful thing.”
5. Does this passage mean helping the poor isn’t important?
Not at all. Jesus consistently taught the importance of caring for the poor (see Matthew 25:40, Luke 4:18). He was making a point about spiritual priorities—not dismissing compassion.
6. What Old Testament verse was Jesus quoting?
He was referencing Deuteronomy 15:11, which says, “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded…” His audience would’ve recognized this.
7. How does this passage apply today?
It challenges us to check our motives. Are we truly helping others, or trying to look good? And are we missing sacred moments of worship because we’re focused on appearances?
8. Is worship more important than helping the poor?
Both matter deeply, but worship comes first. True worship fuels real compassion. When your heart is centered on Jesus, generosity flows from that love—not obligation.
9. What was the disciples’ mistake in this story?
They misjudged the woman’s actions and missed the moment. Instead of recognizing her worship, they called it wasteful—focusing on money rather than what Jesus valued.
10. Why should I care about this passage?
Because it speaks directly to how you live, give, and worship. It’s a call to honest motives, true generosity, and putting Jesus first—before good works, before appearances, before anything else.
