Giovanni 12:8

8 Poiché i poveri li avete sempre con voi; ma me non avete sempre.

Giovanni 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:8

For the poor always ye have with you
And so would not want opportunities of showing a regard to them, which Christ always recommended; nor does he here in the least discourage an industrious and affectionate concern for them: the words seem to be a sort of prophecy, that there would be always poor persons in the churches of Christ, to be taken care of and provided for; (See Gill on Matthew 26:11); and yet the Jews suppose cases, in which the collectors of alms may have no poor to distribute to, and direct what they shall do in such cases ^F12:

but me ye have not always;
meaning, with respect to his corporeal presence, which would be quickly withdrawn from them, when there would be no more an opportunity of showing him personal respect, in such a way.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 T. Bab. Pesachim, fol. 13. 1. & Bava Metzia, fol. 38. 1. & Bava Bathra, fol. 8. 2.

Giovanni 12:8 In-Context

6 Diceva così, non perché si curasse de’ poveri, ma perché era ladro, e tenendo la borsa, ne portava via quel che vi si metteva dentro.

7 Gesù dunque disse: Lasciala stare; ella lo ha serbato per il giorno della mia sepoltura.

8 Poiché i poveri li avete sempre con voi; ma me non avete sempre.

9 La gran folla dei Giudei seppe dunque ch’egli era quivi; e vennero non solo a motivo di Gesù, ma anche per vedere Lazzaro che egli avea risuscitato dai morti.

10 Ma i capi sacerdoti deliberarono di far morire anche Lazzaro,