Mark 14:7

7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; 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 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.

6 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.

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

8 She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

9 Most assuredly I tell you, wherever this gospel may be preached throughout the whole world, that also which this woman has done will be spoken of for a memorial of her."