In Matthew 26:11, when Jesus says, “The poor you will always have with you,” He’s clearly referring to material poverty, not spiritual poverty. He’s responding to His disciples, who were upset about a woman using expensive perfume on Him instead of selling it to help the poor. Jesus isn’t dismissing the poor—He’s emphasizing the timing and priority of worship, especially with His crucifixion approaching. He even quotes Deuteronomy 15:11, which commands generosity toward the poor, reinforcing that caring for them remains a vital part of following God.
At the same time, Jesus is teaching a bigger lesson: there will always be opportunities to serve others, but moments to deeply honor Him may be fewer. He wants His followers to understand that while generosity matters, worship and devotion to Him must come first. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance faith, service, and priorities, this passage offers powerful insight. Keep reading for a deeper dive into the context, the meaning, and what it means for your life today.
In Matthew 26:11, Jesus says something that raises a lot of questions:
“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” (Matthew 26:11, NIV)
It’s one of those verses people quote when they talk about poverty, generosity, or even priorities in the Christian life. But what did Jesus actually mean? Was He talking about material poverty, like lacking food and shelter? Or was He referring to spiritual poverty, being poor in spirit or far from God?
Let’s break it down clearly so you understand what Jesus was saying and how it applies to you today.
1. The Context of Matthew 26:11
To understand this verse, you’ve got to look at the bigger picture. This wasn’t some random comment. Jesus said it during a specific moment.
Here’s the scene:
- Jesus is at the home of Simon the leper in Bethany.
- A woman (John identifies her as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus) pours very expensive perfume on His head.
- The disciples get upset. They say, “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
- Jesus responds, “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.”
This tells us a few important things:
- Jesus wasn’t criticizing giving to the poor.
- He was responding to a moment of extravagant worship just before His crucifixion.
- He was making a point about timing and priorities.
2. Is This About Material Poverty?
Yes. First and foremost, Jesus is definitely talking about material poverty.
The disciples were talking about selling the perfume and giving the money to the poor. That’s not symbolic. That’s literal, material poverty—people who need money, food, shelter, clothing.
Jesus quotes from 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 your land.”
By referencing this, Jesus affirms that material poverty exists and always will—at least until His kingdom fully comes. But He also reminds them (and us) that helping the poor is not the only important act. Worshiping Him, especially at key moments like this, can be even more important.
Key takeaway:
Jesus acknowledged the reality of material poverty. He wasn’t dismissing the poor. He was just saying: You’ll always have the chance to serve them. But right now, I’m here with you in person—and that won’t last.
3. Was He Also Referring to Spiritual Poverty?
Now, could there be a deeper layer? Possibly. Let’s look at what spiritual poverty means in the Bible.
In Matthew 5:3, Jesus says:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Here, being “poor in spirit” means recognizing your need for God—your spiritual bankruptcy without Him. It’s humility and dependence on God’s grace.
So, could Matthew 26:11 be a double-layered message—both material and spiritual poverty?
Not directly. There’s no evidence in the text or surrounding context that Jesus was talking about spiritual poverty in this particular moment. The disciples were concerned with physical needs, not spiritual ones. Jesus was responding to material concerns.
So, while spiritual poverty is a biblical concept, Matthew 26:11 isn’t about that.
4. What Does This Mean for You?
a. Caring for the Poor Is Still a Christian Responsibility
Don’t misread this verse. Some people use it as an excuse not to help the poor—“Well, Jesus said the poor will always be with us, so why bother?”
That’s not what Jesus meant.
Throughout Scripture, God is crystal clear about caring for the poor:
- Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them.”
- Isaiah 58:7 – “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter…?”
Even in the passage Jesus quoted (Deuteronomy 15:11), the instruction is to “be openhanded toward the poor.”
So yes, the poor will always exist—but that doesn’t excuse us. It challenges us to stay committed.
b. Prioritize Jesus Above All
In the moment of Matthew 26, Mary understood something the disciples didn’t. She saw the significance of Jesus’ final days and chose to worship Him in the most extravagant way possible.
Jesus says, “She has done a beautiful thing to me.”
Her act was timely, heartfelt, and prophetic. That doesn’t mean serving others isn’t important—it just means worshiping and honoring Jesus is the highest priority.
There will be time to serve the poor. But don’t miss the moments to deeply worship, honor, and be with Jesus.
5. Why This Verse Still Matters Today
You live in a world with overwhelming need. It’s easy to feel like you can never do enough. But this verse helps ground your perspective.
- Yes, meet physical needs.
- Yes, give generously to the poor.
- But also, don’t neglect worship and devotion to Jesus.
If you lose sight of Him, even your good works can become empty efforts.
Balance matters. Timing matters. Jesus matters most.
6. Quick Recap
To sum it all up:
| Point | Takeaway |
| Who is Jesus talking about? | The materially poor—people in need of basic necessities. |
| Is this about spiritual poverty? | No, not in this context. |
| Was Jesus dismissing the poor? | Not at all. He quotes Scripture that commands care for them. |
| What was His main point? | Worshiping Him in that moment was more important. |
| What’s your takeaway? | Care for the poor and worship Jesus with full devotion. |
7. Final Thoughts
Matthew 26:11 isn’t a free pass to ignore poverty. It’s a reminder of where your first love should lie.
Helping the poor is essential. But worshiping Jesus, recognizing His worth, and responding to Him with your whole heart—that’s your highest calling.
Don’t pit one against the other. Do both. But never miss a moment to pour everything out at Jesus’ feet—just like Mary did.
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❓ FAQs: Was Jesus Talking About Spiritual or Material Poverty in Matthew 26:11?
1. What does Matthew 26:11 mean when Jesus says, “The poor you will always have with you”?
Jesus is referring to material poverty. He’s pointing out that physical needs will always exist in the world, but He, in bodily form, won’t be with them much longer.
2. Was Jesus talking about spiritual poverty in Matthew 26:11?
No, not in this context. While spiritual poverty is mentioned elsewhere in Scripture (like Matthew 5:3), this verse directly addresses material poverty and the disciples’ concern about money for the poor.
3. Does Matthew 26:11 mean we shouldn’t help the poor?
Not at all. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 15:11, which commands generosity toward the poor. He’s not downplaying their importance—He’s emphasizing that honoring Him in that moment was the greater priority.
4. What’s the context of Matthew 26:11?
This happened at a dinner in Bethany when a woman anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. The disciples questioned the act, and Jesus responded by affirming her worship and saying they’d always have the poor to care for—but not Him.
5. What’s the difference between spiritual and material poverty in the Bible?
- Material poverty = lack of physical resources like money, food, or shelter.
- Spiritual poverty = recognizing your deep need for God and His grace (Matthew 5:3).
Matthew 26:11 focuses on the material kind.
6. Why did Jesus commend the woman instead of focusing on the poor?
Because she understood the significance of the moment. Jesus was about to be crucified, and she honored Him with an act of deep worship and sacrifice. He called it a “beautiful thing.”
7. Does this verse suggest poverty is permanent?
In a fallen world, yes—material poverty will always exist to some degree. But it doesn’t mean we stop helping. Jesus’ statement is realistic, not dismissive.
8. How should Christians respond to poverty in light of this verse?
We’re still called to care for the poor generously and regularly. But we must also prioritize worship, relationship with Jesus, and discern the right timing for both.
9. What Old Testament verse is Jesus referencing in Matthew 26:11?
He’s referencing Deuteronomy 15:11, which says, “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded…”
10. What can I learn personally from Matthew 26:11?
It’s a reminder to keep Jesus first—to know when to worship, when to serve, and how to balance both. Generosity matters, but it should flow from a heart that’s deeply connected to Christ.
