Matthew 26 11

Matthew 26:11 kjv

For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

Matthew 26:11 nkjv

For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.

Matthew 26:11 niv

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.

Matthew 26:11 esv

For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

Matthew 26:11 nlt

You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 11 Meaning

Matthew 26:11 declares that the poor will always be present among God's people, contrasting this perpetual reality with the limited physical time Jesus has remaining with His disciples. This statement served to refocus His disciples' understanding of priorities, emphasizing the unique significance of His imminent passion and anointing for burial over perpetual acts of general charity during that specific kairos (opportune moment).

Matthew 26 11 Context

This verse is part of the account of Jesus' anointing by a woman in Bethany, just days before His crucifixion. While dining at the house of Simon the leper, a woman (identified as Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus in John's account) came with an expensive alabaster flask of very costly ointment and poured it on Jesus' head (and feet, in John). The disciples, or at least Judas Iscariot as per John's gospel, grumbled, viewing it as a waste, suggesting the money could have been given to the poor. Jesus responds to their complaint, defending the woman's action and speaking this verse, effectively elevating the unique significance of His anointing for burial during this specific time. This incident occurs in the shadow of His approaching Passover, betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion, marking the culmination of His earthly ministry.

Matthew 26 11 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction that introduces a reason or explanation, linking Jesus' statement directly to the disciples' complaint about the waste of the ointment and His subsequent defense of the woman. It explains why the woman's action was appropriate and His presence was limited.

• you (ὑμᾶς - hymas): The plural "you" refers collectively to His disciples and, by extension, to God's people throughout history.

• always (πάντοτε - pantote): Signifies continuous, perpetual presence. This word underscores the enduring nature of poverty as a reality in the world and among communities, reflecting the teaching from Deuteronomy.

• have (ἔχετε - echete): To possess, hold, or have. In this context, it speaks to the presence of the poor in the midst of the community, not merely as an abstract concept, but as a tangible and enduring reality to which the community must always respond.

• the poor (τοὺς πτωχούς - tous ptochous): From ptochos, meaning someone who crouches, shrinks, or is in total destitution; someone who depends on begging. This is a significant New Testament term, not merely denoting general financial difficulty, but severe poverty and often those considered outcasts. Jesus' consistent teaching emphasizes care for the ptochous (e.g., sermon on the mount, parable of Lazarus and the rich man). His words here acknowledge their ongoing reality, but set it within a hierarchy of timing and priority in His final days.

• with you (μεθ’ ὑμῶν - meth' hymon): Signifies physical presence and proximity. It speaks of the poor being an ever-present part of their societal landscape and immediate community.

• but (δὲ - de): A strong contrasting particle, highlighting the essential difference between the perpetual presence of the poor and the temporary, unique presence of Jesus Himself. It introduces a decisive shift in emphasis.

• you (ἔχετε - echete): Refers to the disciples, parallel to the first "you."

• do not always (οὐ πάντοτε - ou pantote): The negation of "always," emphatically stating the non-perpetual nature of His physical presence. This temporal limitation is crucial, as it leads to the understanding that His "time" is short and has a specific purpose.

• have me (ἔχετε με - echete me): The object of "have" shifts from "the poor" to "me," meaning Jesus Himself. This is the crucial point of the verse: Jesus' physical presence on earth is coming to an end. This implies the unique window of opportunity for personal anointing and recognition of His sacrificial role before His Passion and resurrection.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "For you always have the poor with you": This phrase draws directly from the Old Testament teaching (Dt 15:11), acknowledging the divinely permitted, if not ordained, reality of poverty in human society. It does not excuse inaction towards the poor but frames their perpetual presence. This acknowledges that the need for charity will always exist.
  • "but you do not always have me": This powerfully contrasts Jesus' unique, time-sensitive physical presence with the perennial presence of the poor. It establishes a theological hierarchy: during His last days, ministering directly to Him in preparation for His burial takes precedence. This isn't a devaluation of care for the poor but a recognition of Jesus' immediate purpose, a once-in-history event that commanded the highest honor and dedication in that specific "now."

Matthew 26 11 Bonus Section

• Stewardship and Discernment: This verse calls believers to wisdom in stewardship. It is not an "either/or" (care for Jesus or care for the poor) but highlights a proper order and discernment of "kairos" (opportune time) in giving. There are times when direct devotion to Christ, even if seemingly extravagant, aligns with divine priority.
• Christ's Unique Sacrifice: The emphasis on "me" (Jesus) highlights His unparalleled identity and impending sacrifice. The act of anointing recognized His role as the Anointed One who would die for sins. This specific act foreshadowed His death, emphasizing its ultimate importance.
• Prophetic Fulfillment: The statement acknowledges the prophetic understanding that there will always be an opportunity for God's people to minister to the needy, linking the New Covenant community to the long-standing Old Covenant obligation to the vulnerable.

Matthew 26 11 Commentary

Matthew 26:11, uttered by Jesus during His anointing in Bethany, is often misunderstood as a dismissal of caring for the poor. Rather, it is a pivotal statement on priority, timing, and unique divine purpose. Jesus, knowing His imminent passion and death, highlights the fleeting nature of His physical presence among them, contrasting it with the enduring reality of poverty in the world (a truth echoing Dt 15:11). The anointing by the woman, interpreted by Jesus as a preparation for His burial, represented a once-in-history opportunity to honor the King in His sacrificial act. During this precise kairos, demonstrating worship and devotion to Him, understanding His identity, and ministering to Him directly superseded what might otherwise be good and perpetual acts of charity. This statement did not nullify the command to care for the poor, a mandate He consistently upheld and which is deeply embedded in both Old and New Testaments. Instead, it instructed His disciples in discerning the most pressing spiritual priority in a moment of unique theological significance, underscoring that while opportunities for general charity would always abound, the opportunity for such an act of personal devotion to His person before His death would not.