Mark 14:7

7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.

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 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.
6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?
7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.
8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.
9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.