John 12:8
“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
John 12:8 Meaning
In John 12:8, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, responding to criticism from Judas Iscariot about the use of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus. The meaning of this verse is that Jesus acknowledges the reality that there will always be poverty in the world because of sin and brokenness. However, He also emphasizes that His time with them on earth is limited and they should prioritize their devotion to Him while He is present.
John 12:8 Commentary and Explanation
This statement jesus made in John 12:8 carries significant spiritual and ethical implications for us as believers.
First, let us acknowledge the context of this verse. Mary’s act of pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet was an extravagant act of worship and devotion. It was a symbolic preparation for His impending crucifixion, as Jesus mentioned in Matthew 26:12-13 when He said, “She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.” Mary’s act was a demonstration of her understanding of Jesus’ divinity and His ultimate sacrifice.
When Jesus says, “You will always have the poor among you,” He is not dismissing the importance of caring for the needy. Instead, He is emphasizing that His presence with them at that moment was a unique opportunity. He was reminding them that the time for such extravagant acts of devotion to Him was limited because His earthly ministry was coming to a close.
This statement also echoes Deuteronomy 15:11, where God instructs His people to be generous towards the poor, saying, “There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor.” In this light, Jesus’ words highlight that while acts of charity and helping the poor are essential, recognizing and seizing the moments of intimate connection with the Savior is equally vital.
Moreover, Jesus’ statement points to His divine nature and mission. He knew that His time on Earth was drawing to a close, and He was aware of His impending crucifixion. His statement echoes His awareness of His unique role as the Lamb of God, as described in Isaiah 53:7 and John 1:29. He was the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity, and His presence was a once-in-eternity opportunity for those present with Him.
John 12:8 invites us to reflect on our priorities in life. It reminds us of the importance of recognizing and seizing the unique moments of intimacy and connection with Jesus. While caring for the poor and needy remains a continuous commandment, we should also make time to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to Christ, understanding His divinity and the significance of His sacrificial mission. It is a reminder that we should balance our acts of charity with acts of worship, recognizing that in Jesus, we have the source of eternal life and salvation.
Also Read: 1 Corinthians 7 Meaning and Commentary
Context of John 12:8
John 12:8 occurs during the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. In this particular passage, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, and Judas Iscariot objects to what he perceives as wastefulness. Jesus then defends Mary’s actions and rebukes Judas, affirming the significance of her act of worship.
Within this context, Jesus’ statement about the poor carries additional weight. He acknowledges the importance of addressing poverty, but He also wants to emphasize the limited time His disciples have with Him before His crucifixion and resurrection.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of John 12:8
 “You will always have the poor among you”: This statement recognizes the enduring existence of poverty in the world. It points to the ongoing need for Christians to engage in acts of compassion, justice, and solidarity with the poor.
“But you will not always have me”: Jesus reminds His disciples that His time with them is limited. He wants them to prioritize their relationship with Him and make the most of the opportunity to learn from and follow Him.
Lessons From John 12:8
- Continual concern for the poor: Jesus’ words emphasize the enduring importance of caring for the poor and those in need. As followers of Christ, we are called to actively engage in addressing poverty, both individually and collectively. Our actions should reflect God’s heart for justice and compassion.
- Prioritizing our relationship with Jesus: Jesus’ reminder to His disciples serves as a call for us to prioritize our relationship with Him. While we are called to engage in acts of service and charity, it should always flow from our deep connection with Christ. Our primary focus should be on growing in intimacy with Him and aligning our lives with His teachings.
Biblical Translations of John 12:8
John 12:8 King James Version (KJV)
“For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.”
John 12:8 New Living Translation (NLT)
“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
John 12:8 English Standard Version (ESV)
“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
John 12:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
“For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
John 12:8 Berean Study Bible (BSB)
“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.”
John 12:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”
Final Thoughts
John 12:8 presents a reality check regarding poverty and Jesus’ imminent departure. It reminds us that poverty will continue to exist in the world, calling us to be vigilant in our efforts to combat it. Moreover, it reminds us of the temporary nature of our time on earth and the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus. Let us strive to demonstrate Christ’s love to those in need and continually seek His presence in our lives.