John 12:8

8 You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me." ¹

John 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meaning, with respect to his corporeal presence, which would be quickly withdrawn from them, when there would be no more an opportunity of showing him personal respect, in such a way.

FOOTNOTES:

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

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

John 12:8 In-Context

6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would help himself from it.

7 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone! Let her keep what she has for the day of my burial.

8 You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me."

9 A large number of people heard that Jesus was in Bethany, so they went there, not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from death.

10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus too,

Cross References 1

1. 12.8Deuteronomy 15.11.

John 12:8

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John 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:8 In-Context

Cross References 1