Mark 14:7

7 The poor you have ever with you, and whenever you have the desire you may do them good: but me you have not for ever.

Mark 14:7 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 14:7

For ye have the poor with you always
(See Gill on Matthew 26:11);

and whensoever ye will ye may do them good;
by feeding them when hungry, clothing them when naked, and supplying them with the necessaries of life:

but me ye have not always;
meaning, with respect to his bodily presence, which, in a short time, would be removed from them, and they would have no opportunity of showing him any such outward respect personally; (See Gill on Matthew 26:11).

Mark 14:7 In-Context

5 We might have got more than three hundred pence for it, and given the money to the poor. And they said things against her among themselves.

6 But Jesus said, Let her be; why are you troubling her? she has done a kind act to me.

7 The poor you have ever with you, and whenever you have the desire you may do them good: but me you have not for ever.

8 She has done what she was able: she has put oil on my body to make it ready for its last resting-place.

9 And truly I say to you, Wherever the good news goes out through all the earth, what this woman has done will be talked of in memory of her.