John 12:8

8 The poore all wayes shall ye have with you but me shall ye not all wayes have.

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meaning, with respect to his corporeal presence, which would be quickly withdrawn from them, when there would be no more an opportunity of showing him personal respect, in such a way.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

John 12:8 In-Context

6 This sayde he not that he cared for the pooer: but because he was a thefe and kept the bagge and bare that which was geven.

7 Then sayde Iesus: Let her alone agaynst the daye of my buryinge she kept it.

8 The poore all wayes shall ye have with you but me shall ye not all wayes have.

9 Moche people of the Iewes had knowledge that he was there. And they came not for Iesus sake only but yt they myght se Lazarus also whom he raysed from deeth.

10 The hye prestes therfore held a counsell that they myght put Lazarus to deeth also