Jesus’ statement, “The poor you will always have with you” (Matthew 26:11), is often misunderstood as dismissive. But in its original context, it’s anything but. Quoting Deuteronomy 15:11, Jesus was reminding His listeners of their ongoing duty to care for the poor—not giving them a pass to ignore it. At the same time, He was defending a woman’s heartfelt act of worship as something meaningful and timely. It wasn’t a choice between worship and charity—it was a call to honor both.
Understanding this passage means looking at the historical, cultural, and scriptural context. Jesus lived in a society where poverty was widespread, and His ministry consistently uplifted the marginalized. His words challenge hypocrisy, affirm sincere devotion, and reinforce our lifelong responsibility to serve others. Keep reading for a deeper dive into what Jesus really meant and how it applies to your life today.
When Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you” (Matthew 26:11), it sparked confusion for many people, especially today. Was He dismissing the poor? Was He being cynical? Or was there something deeper going on?
To really understand this statement, you need to dig into the historical and cultural context of Jesus’ time. Let’s walk through what He meant, who He was speaking to, and what message He was really sending.
What Did Jesus Actually Say?
In Matthew 26:11, Jesus says:
“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.”
This was in response to a woman (Mary of Bethany, according to John 12:3) who poured expensive perfume on Jesus. Some of the disciples, especially Judas, were outraged. They asked, “Why this waste? This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor” (Matthew 26:8-9).
Jesus responds by defending her, pointing out that she was preparing Him for burial. That’s when He makes the famous statement.
1. The Jewish View of Poverty in the 1st Century
To understand Jesus’ words, you need to step into the world He lived in.
Poverty Was Everywhere
In 1st-century Judea:
- Up to 90% of people lived at or near subsistence level.
- Many were tenant farmers, laborers, or fishermen.
- Rome heavily taxed the region, leaving people struggling to survive.
Being poor wasn’t a fringe issue—it was the norm.
The Law of Moses Had Guidelines for Helping the Poor
In Deuteronomy 15:11, God says:
“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.”
Sound familiar? That’s what Jesus was quoting.
So He wasn’t inventing a new idea. He was referencing Scripture. And not just any verse—this one commanded generosity. It didn’t give people an excuse to ignore poverty; it urged them to respond to it.
2. Jesus Was Quoting Deuteronomy—And That Matters
Jesus wasn’t brushing off the poor. He was doing what rabbis often did—quoting a familiar passage to point people back to the bigger picture.
Here’s what Deuteronomy 15:7-11 says in full (summary):
- Don’t be hard-hearted toward the poor.
- Don’t withhold help just because a year of debt cancellation is near.
- Be generous.
- Lend freely.
- “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded…”
So when Jesus said “the poor you will always have with you”, He wasn’t telling people to stop helping. He was reminding them of their ongoing duty to do so.
3. Jesus Was Prioritizing a Moment, Not Dismissing a Mission
Jesus knew He was heading to the cross. In fact, this scene takes place just before His arrest and crucifixion. His time was short.
Mary’s act wasn’t wasteful—it was deeply symbolic. Anointing someone was a way to honor them, especially before burial. Jesus saw it as a profound expression of love and understanding.
He was basically saying:
“Yes, the poor will always be part of your life—so don’t act like this one act of worship means abandoning them. But right now, I’m about to die. Let her honor me.”
4. Jesus and the Poor: A Pattern of Compassion
If you look at Jesus’ ministry as a whole, you’ll see He never ignored the poor. Quite the opposite.
He Reached Out to the Marginalized
- Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on me… He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”
- He healed lepers, ate with tax collectors, defended widows, and valued children.
He Taught Generosity and Sacrifice
- Luke 12:33 – “Sell your possessions and give to the poor.”
- Matthew 25:35-40 – He praised those who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited prisoners, saying, “Whatever you did for the least of these… you did for me.”
Jesus constantly emphasized caring for the poor—not just in words but in action.
5. The Disciples’ Motives: A Lesson in Hypocrisy
Let’s go back to the scene.
The complaint about wasting money on perfume? It came mainly from Judas (John 12:4-6). He didn’t really care about the poor—he was in charge of the money bag and stole from it.
This context is key.
Jesus was not speaking to generous people torn between helping the poor and honoring Him. He was calling out false piety—people using the poor as a cover for greed or criticism.
And that’s still a warning for us today.
6. How This Applies to You Today
It’s easy to read this passage and miss the deeper meaning. But here’s what you can take away:
Don’t Use the Poor as an Excuse
Sometimes people criticize others’ acts of worship, generosity, or celebration by saying, “That money could’ve gone to the poor.”
Sure, it’s a good instinct to want to help. But Jesus warns us not to cloak envy or self-righteousness as virtue.
Honor God in the Moment, Serve People Always
There are moments when honoring God through worship, art, or even beauty has value—even if it’s not “practical.”
But that doesn’t replace your ongoing call to serve the poor. It complements it.
You’re not picking one over the other—you’re doing both.
Generosity Is a Lifestyle, Not a Guilt Trip
Jesus’ quote from Deuteronomy is a reminder: Poverty is a real, ongoing issue. God expects His people to respond—not with guilt, but with open hands and open hearts.
In Summary
Jesus’ statement, “The poor you will always have with you,” wasn’t a dismissal of the poor. It was:
- A quote from Deuteronomy urging generosity
- A defense of sincere, sacrificial worship
- A rebuke of hypocritical criticism
- A reminder that we’ll always have opportunities to help
He wasn’t saying, “Don’t worry about the poor.” He was saying, “This act of love matters too—and your job to care for the poor never ends.”
Final Thoughts
You live in a world where poverty still exists—and always will. But that doesn’t mean you should shrug and move on. It means you have a continuing mission.
At the same time, don’t let the needs around you blind you to moments of worship, beauty, and love that honor God in other ways. Both matter.
Jesus saw the bigger picture. Now you do too.
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FAQs – The Cultural and Historical Context of Jesus’ Statement About the Poor
1. What did Jesus mean by “The poor you will always have with you”?
Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 15:11, a passage that commands generosity toward the poor. He wasn’t dismissing poverty—He was reminding His audience that caring for the poor is a lifelong responsibility, while His time on Earth was short.
2. Was Jesus saying we shouldn’t help the poor?
No. In fact, the opposite. By referencing Deuteronomy, Jesus affirmed that helping the poor is ongoing. His ministry consistently promoted generosity and care for the marginalized.
3. Who was Jesus talking to when He said this?
He was speaking to His disciples, particularly in response to Judas criticizing a woman (Mary of Bethany) for pouring expensive perfume on Jesus instead of using it to help the poor (Matthew 26:6–13, John 12:1–8).
4. Why did Jesus quote the Old Testament in this moment?
Quoting Deuteronomy 15:11 connected His teaching to established Jewish law. It reminded listeners of God’s command to help the poor and exposed any hypocrisy hidden behind Judas’s false concern.
5. Was poverty common in Jesus’ time?
Yes. In 1st-century Judea, poverty was widespread. Most people lived at subsistence levels under Roman rule. Jesus’ audience knew firsthand the realities of economic hardship.
6. Did Jesus care about the poor in other parts of His ministry?
Absolutely. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, defended the oppressed, and taught generosity. Luke 4:18 says He came to bring “good news to the poor.”
7. Why did Jesus defend the woman who anointed Him?
Because she was honoring Him in preparation for His death. Jesus saw her act as timely, worshipful, and sincere—worth defending against criticism that was rooted in hypocrisy, not real compassion.
8. Is Jesus saying poverty will never be solved?
He’s stating a reality, not offering a fatalistic view. Poverty is a persistent issue in a broken world, but that doesn’t mean we should stop fighting it. Jesus calls us to act generously and consistently.
9. What does Deuteronomy 15:11 actually say?
It says: “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.” It’s a clear call to action.
10. How should we apply Jesus’ statement today?
By holding both worship and service in balance. Honor God with your devotion, but also commit to helping those in need. Jesus wasn’t pitting the two against each other—He was calling us to do both.
