Matthew 26:11
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
For you have the poor always with you; but me you have not always.
American King James Version (AKJV)
For you have the poor always with you; but me you have not always.
American Standard Version (ASV)
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
For the poor you have ever with you, but me you have not for ever.
Webster's Revision
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
World English Bible
For you always have the poor with you; but you don't always have me.
English Revised Version (ERV)
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Clarke's Matthew 26:11 Bible Commentary
Ye have the poor always with you - And, consequently, have the opportunity of doing them good at any time; but me ye have not always; my bodily presence is about to be removed from you for ever. The woman, under a presentiment of my death is preparing me for my burial.
Barnes's Matthew 26:11 Bible Commentary
For ye have the poor ... - Mark adds, "Whensoever ye will, ye may do them good." It was right that they should regard the poor.
It was a plain precept of religion (see Psalm 41:1; Proverbs 14:21; Proverbs 29:7; Galatians 2:10), and our Saviour would not prohibit it, but do all that was possible to excite his followers to the duty. But every duty should be done in its place, and the duty "then" incumbent was that which Mary had performed. They would afterward have abundant occasion to show their regard for the poor.
Me ye have not always - He alludes here to his dying, and his going away to heaven. He would still be their friend and their Saviour, but would not be physically always present with them, so that they could show kindness "in this way" to him.
Wesley's Matthew 26:11 Bible Commentary
26:11 Ye have the poor always with you - Such is the wise and gracious providence of God, that we may have always opportunities of relieving their wants, and so laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven.