Matthew 26:11

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

The verse you mentioned is

This verse is a part of a narrative that takes place during the last week of Jesus’ life on Earth. It occurs just before the Passover meal in Bethany, where Jesus was anointed with costly ointment by a woman.

In this particular verse, Jesus is responding to the disciples’ indignation at the woman’s act of pouring expensive ointment on Him. They argued that the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus acknowledges their concern by saying, “For ye have the poor always with you.” Here, Jesus is acknowledging the ongoing presence of poverty in the world. He is not implying that poverty should be ignored or neglected but rather highlighting its persistent existence.

However, Jesus continues by saying, “but me ye have not always.” Here, Jesus is alluding to His impending crucifixion and departure from the world. He is emphasizing the limited time that the disciples have with Him physically. Jesus knew that His earthly ministry was coming to an end, and He would soon be crucified and resurrected. Therefore, He encourages His disciples to prioritise their time with Him while they have the opportunity.

This verse reminds us of the importance of prioritising our relationship with Jesus. While it is crucial to care for the needs of the poor and show compassion to those around us, Jesus reminds us that He is not physically present with us at all times. Therefore, we should cherish the moments we have to seek Him, learn from Him, and deepen our relationship with Him.