Jesus’ statement, “The poor you will always have with you,” found in Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, and John 12:8, is often misunderstood. Far from dismissing the needs of the poor, Jesus was highlighting the significance of a unique moment—His impending death and the act of worship shown by Mary. The context makes it clear: Jesus was not downplaying compassion, but pointing out that His physical presence on earth was temporary, while care for the poor remains a constant, ongoing responsibility.
This verse actually reinforces the biblical call to care for the poor while also recognizing the importance of honoring Jesus in the moment. It’s a powerful reminder to live with both worship and justice in mind—not picking one over the other. Keep reading for a deeper dive into what this means, how it applies today, and why understanding this passage the right way matters more than ever.
If you’ve ever come across the phrase “The poor you will always have with you”, you might’ve wondered—what did Jesus mean by that? Was He dismissing the needs of the poor? Was He saying poverty is permanent? You’ll find this quote in three places in the Bible: Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, and John 12:8. But to really understand it, we need to look at the full context.
Let’s break it down clearly and simply so you know exactly what Jesus was saying—and what He wasn’t.
1. Where the Phrase Appears in the Bible
This phrase shows up in three Gospels:
- Matthew 26:11 – “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.”
- Mark 14:7 – “The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.”
- John 12:8 – “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
Each of these accounts refers to the same event—a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume just days before His crucifixion. The context is crucial.
2. The Context: Anointing at Bethany
Here’s the scene:
Jesus is at the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem. A woman (identified in John as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus) brings a jar of expensive perfume—likely imported nard, worth a year’s wages (about 300 denarii)—and pours it on Jesus.
Some of the disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot (according to John), object. They say the perfume should’ve been sold and the money given to the poor.
Why the Outrage?
- Value of the perfume: About a year’s salary (in today’s terms, think $40,000+).
- Their logic: Helping the poor sounds noble, right?
- Jesus’ response: That’s when He says, “The poor you will always have with you…”
But He wasn’t dismissing the poor. He was defending Mary’s act of devotion—and making a deeper point.
3. What Jesus Meant (And Didn’t Mean)
Let’s get this straight: Jesus wasn’t saying “don’t care about the poor.” He was making a point about timing and priority.
Key takeaways:
- Jesus knew His death was near. This was a one-time opportunity for Mary to honor Him physically before the crucifixion.
- The poor are always with us—meaning, there will always be chances to help them. But Jesus was leaving soon.
- He was affirming Mary’s spiritual insight. She understood the moment in a way even the disciples didn’t.
Supporting verse: Deuteronomy 15:11
Jesus was actually quoting the Old Testament:
“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.” – Deuteronomy 15:11
This shows Jesus wasn’t ignoring the poor—He was pointing back to a command to care for them. His audience would’ve recognized that.
4. Jesus’ Consistent Teaching About the Poor
To be clear: Jesus deeply cared for the poor. Here’s the proof:
- Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on me… to proclaim good news to the poor.”
- Matthew 25:35-40 – He praises those who feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned.
- Luke 14:13-14 – He says invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to your banquets.
- He lived among the poor, not in palaces or with political power.
So no, this phrase isn’t a license to ignore poverty. It’s not fatalism. It’s a call to recognize Jesus’ unique presence and to act wisely in every moment.
5. Why It Still Matters Today
If you’re wondering, “What does this mean for me today?”—here’s the deal:
Don’t use this phrase to avoid helping the poor.
Some people wrongly quote this to justify inaction: “Well, Jesus said the poor will always be with us…” That misses the point entirely.
Jesus was:
- Affirming Mary’s worship
- Highlighting the limited time of His earthly ministry
- Not excusing neglect of the poor
You can honor Jesus and serve the poor.
These aren’t opposites. In fact, in Matthew 25, Jesus says that serving the poor is one way we serve Him:
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40
That’s powerful.
6. The Bigger Picture: Worship and Justice
Mary’s act was extravagant worship. It wasn’t practical, but it was prophetic. She anointed Jesus for burial. She understood what others missed.
Meanwhile, Judas was pretending to care for the poor—but John tells us:
“He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief.” – John 12:6
So Jesus wasn’t pushing people away from compassion. He was exposing fake compassion and highlighting true devotion.
7. Summary: What You Should Take Away
Let’s recap what we’ve learned:
The phrase “The poor you will always have with you…” means:
- You’ll always have opportunities to care for the poor.
- Jesus’ physical presence on earth was temporary.
- It’s a reminder to recognize sacred moments and respond rightly.
It doesn’t mean:
- Poverty is OK or unchangeable.
- You should ignore the needs of others.
- Jesus didn’t care about the poor—He absolutely did.
8. Final Thoughts
Jesus’ words in Matthew, Mark, and John aren’t a reason to shrug off poverty. They’re a reminder that worship and justice go hand in hand. When someone truly honors Christ—like Mary did—it might not always look “efficient,” but it can be profoundly right.
You don’t have to choose between honoring Jesus and helping others. In fact, when you care for the poor, you’re doing both.
So the next time you hear someone quote “The poor you will always have with you,” pause. Think about what Jesus really meant—and how you can live it out today.
✅ FAQs: “The Poor You Will Always Have With You” in Matthew, Mark, and John
1. What does “The poor you will always have with you” mean in the Bible?
Jesus said this to highlight that while the poor would always be present and in need, His time on earth was short. It wasn’t a dismissal of the poor, but a call to recognize a sacred moment.
2. Where in the Bible does Jesus say, “The poor you will always have with you”?
The phrase appears in Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, and John 12:8 during the story of a woman anointing Jesus with expensive perfume shortly before His crucifixion.
3. Was Jesus saying we shouldn’t help the poor?
No, not at all. Jesus consistently taught and demonstrated care for the poor. This statement was about timing—He was affirming an act of worship, not rejecting compassion.
4. Who anointed Jesus when He said this?
In John 12, the woman is identified as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She anointed Jesus with expensive perfume in a powerful act of love and preparation for His burial.
5. Why did Jesus defend the woman’s use of expensive perfume?
He recognized it as a prophetic and deeply personal act of worship. While others criticized the act as wasteful, Jesus saw its spiritual value and praised her for it.
6. Does “the poor will always be with you” mean poverty can’t be solved?
No. Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 15:11, which commands care for the poor. He wasn’t saying poverty is untouchable—He was acknowledging its presence while calling for action.
7. What was Judas’ role in this story?
In John 12:4–6, Judas Iscariot is the one who objects, pretending to care about the poor. But Scripture reveals he was a thief and didn’t truly care—Jesus exposed his hypocrisy.
8. How should Christians respond to this passage today?
Christians should balance worship and service. This passage encourages both honoring Jesus and actively caring for the poor, not picking one over the other.
9. What does this story teach about priorities?
It teaches us to recognize moments that matter—times to act in faith, worship, and generosity—while never neglecting long-term responsibilities like caring for those in need.
10. Why is understanding this verse important?
Because it’s often misused to justify inaction toward poverty. When rightly understood, it deepens our view of Jesus’ heart—for both worship and justice—and how we live that out daily.
