Historic pastoral reading
Deuteronomy 15 already said the poor would not cease, and still commanded open hands.
Matthew 26:6-11
The poor you will always have with you.
The text
WEB
10 However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.
11 For you always have the poor with you, but you don't always have me.
KJV
11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
What kind of text
- Gospel
- Passion week
- Devotion
A woman anoints Jesus. Some object that the perfume could have been sold for the poor.
How Christians have read this
Common misuse
Used to excuse doing nothing about need.
What the next verse does
Jesus says she did it for his burial.
Older commentary
Matthew Henry
Henry on Matthew 26:11: the poor remain, and the woman's devotion to Christ was still good.
Charles Spurgeon
Spurgeon would not let this sentence excuse hard hearts toward the poor.