Yochanan 12:8

8 For haAniyim you have always with you, but you do not always have me. [DEVARIM 15:11]

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meaning, with respect to his corporeal presence, which would be quickly withdrawn from them, when there would be no more an opportunity of showing him personal respect, in such a way.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

Yochanan 12:8 In-Context

6 But he said this not because it mattered to him about haAniyim, but because he was a ganav and he was removing what was put in the aron otzaram (chest of treasury).

7 Therefore Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said, Let her alone. She kept this for the Yom HaKevurah (Day of Burial) of me [Isa 53:9].

8 For haAniyim you have always with you, but you do not always have me. [DEVARIM 15:11]

9 When the great multitude of the Yehudim had da’as of where Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was, they came not only because of him, but also because of El’azar, that they may see the one whom he made to stand up alive from the mesim.

10 But the Rashei Hakohanim took counsel that they also might kill El’azar,