Mark 14:7

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whenever ye will, ye may do them good; but me ye have not always.

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 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarius and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 But Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She has wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whenever ye will, ye may do them good; but me ye have not always.
8 She has done what she could, for she has anticipated anointing my body for the burial.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010