João 12:8

8 porque os pobres sempre os tendes convosco; mas a mim nem sempre me tendes.

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meaning, with respect to his corporeal presence, which would be quickly withdrawn from them, when there would be no more an opportunity of showing him personal respect, in such a way.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

João 12:8 In-Context

6 Ora, ele disse isto, não porque tivesse cuidado dos pobres, mas porque era ladrão e, tendo a bolsa, subtraía o que nela se lançava.

7 Respondeu, pois Jesus: Deixa-a; para o dia da minha preparação para a sepultura o guardou;

8 porque os pobres sempre os tendes convosco; mas a mim nem sempre me tendes.

9 E grande número dos judeus chegou a saber que ele estava ali: e afluiram, não só por causa de Jesus mas também para verem a Lázaro, a quem ele ressuscitara dentre os mortos.

10 Mas os principais sacerdotes deliberaram matar também a Lázaro;