John 12:8
New International Version
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

New Living Translation
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

English Standard Version
For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Berean Standard Bible
The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”

Berean Literal Bible
For you always have the poor with you, but not always do you have Me."

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

New King James Version
For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

New American Standard Bible
For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

NASB 1995
“For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

NASB 1977
“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Amplified Bible
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Christian Standard Bible
For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

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

Contemporary English Version
You will always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you."

Good News Translation
You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me."

International Standard Version
because you will always have the destitute with you, but you won't always have me."

Majority Standard Bible
The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.”

NET Bible
For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me!"

New Heart English Bible
For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

Webster's Bible Translation
For the poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always.

Weymouth New Testament
For the poor you always have with you, but you have not me always."

World English Bible
For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for you always have the poor with yourselves, and you do not always have Me.”

Berean Literal Bible
For you always have the poor with you, but not always do you have Me."

Young's Literal Translation
for the poor ye have always with yourselves, and me ye have not always.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For the poor have ye always with you; and me ye have not always.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the poor, you have with you always. But me, you do always not have.”

New American Bible
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

New Revised Standard Version
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For you have the poor always with you, but me you have not always.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For you have the poor with you always, but you do not have me with you always.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always.

Godbey New Testament
for you have the poor always with you; but you have not me always.

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

Mace New Testament
the poor you will always have with you; but me you will not always have.

Weymouth New Testament
For the poor you always have with you, but you have not me always."

Worrell New Testament
for the poor ye always have with you, but Me ye have not always."

Worsley New Testament
For the poor ye have always with you, but me ye have not always.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Mary Anoints Jesus
7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial. 8 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.” 9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there. And they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.…

Cross References
Matthew 26:11
The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

Mark 14:7
The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.

Deuteronomy 15:11
For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

Luke 10:38-42
As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. / She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” ...

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Acts 4:34-35
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.

Galatians 2:10
They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

2 Corinthians 9:9
As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Proverbs 22:9
A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

Psalm 41:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.

Leviticus 19:10
You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.


Treasury of Scripture

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

the poor.

Deuteronomy 15:11
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

Matthew 26:11
For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

Mark 14:7
For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

but.

John 12:35
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

John 8:21
Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

John 13:33
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

Jump to Previous
Always Poor Yourselves
Jump to Next
Always Poor Yourselves
John 12
1. Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet.
9. The people flock to see Lazarus.
10. The chief priests consult to kill him.
12. Jesus rides into Jerusalem.
20. Greeks desire to see Jesus.
23. He foretells his death.
37. The people are generally blinded;
42. yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;
44. therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith.














The poor you will always have with you
This phrase echoes Deuteronomy 15:11, where God acknowledges the perpetual presence of poverty in the world. The Greek word for "poor" is "ptōchos," which refers to those who are economically disadvantaged and often marginalized in society. Historically, the Jewish community was instructed to care for the poor, emphasizing the importance of charity and justice. This statement by Jesus highlights the enduring nature of poverty, reminding believers of their ongoing responsibility to care for those in need. It serves as a call to action, urging Christians to embody compassion and generosity as a reflection of God's love.

but you will not always have Me
In this phrase, Jesus is speaking to His disciples about the limited time they have with Him physically present on earth. The Greek word "me" (ἐμέ) is emphatic, underscoring the significance of His presence. This statement is set within the context of Jesus' impending crucifixion, a pivotal moment in Christian theology. Historically, this was a time of great tension and anticipation, as Jesus prepared His followers for His departure. The phrase serves as a poignant reminder of the unique and irreplaceable nature of Christ's earthly ministry. It calls believers to prioritize their relationship with Jesus, recognizing the urgency and preciousness of His presence in their lives. This is an invitation to deepen one's faith and commitment, understanding that while Jesus' physical presence was temporary, His spiritual presence remains eternal and transformative.

(8) This verse occurs word for word in both of the first two Gospels. (See Notes there.)

Verse 8. - This verse is omitted in D, but abundantly attested here. It occurs almost verbatim in Matthew and Mark, and cannot be set aside on the authority of this one eccentric manuscript. For the poor ye have always with you (cf. Deuteronomy 15:11). You will always have opportunity of doing to them, as to representatives of me, what is in your heart of compassion (cf. Matthew 25:40-45). But me, as an object of personal, tangible regard and visible attention, deserving thus and ever the affluence and exuberance of your love, ye have not always; and, though I shall be with you always in my Divine power and Spirit, even unto the end of the world, and though I shall always be with you in the person of the poor and needy, yet in the sense in which this expression of love Can be made, I shall be absent. As though he had said, "After this very night, the opportunity to offer me affectionate attention or symbolic homage, to give expression to feelings in accordance with just presentiments as to my mission, will be over forever, and belong to the irrecoverable past - Now or never! She has done this thing, she will have everlasting remembrance thereby." The frankincense of the Wise Men, the ointment of Mary, the homage of the Greeks, were symbols, and can never be repeated. The greatest motive for generous and affectionate interest in the poor is that they represent the Lord; but they are not to be rivals of the Lord himself. Westcott remarks, "The promise of the future record of the act of love is omitted by the one evangelist who gives the name of the woman who showed this devotion to her Master." Moulton, "The very charity that cares for the poor whom we see has been kept alive by faith in and devotion to the crucified Redeemer whom we cannot see."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

poor
πτωχοὺς (ptōchous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4434: Poor, destitute, spiritually poor, either in a good sense (humble devout persons) or bad.

you will always have
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

with
μεθ’ (meth’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

you,
ἑαυτῶν (heautōn)
Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

{you will} not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

always
πάντοτε (pantote)
Adverb
Strong's 3842: Always, at all times, ever. From pas and hote; every when, i.e. At all times.

have
ἔχετε (echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

Me.”
ἐμὲ (eme)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


Links
John 12:8 NIV
John 12:8 NLT
John 12:8 ESV
John 12:8 NASB
John 12:8 KJV

John 12:8 BibleApps.com
John 12:8 Biblia Paralela
John 12:8 Chinese Bible
John 12:8 French Bible
John 12:8 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: John 12:8 For you always have the poor (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 12:7
Top of Page
Top of Page