Rethinking “You Will Always Have the Poor Among You” : Studies in Mark, Pt. 64
Tucked away in Mk. 14.17 is a verse that, while hidden, is well known. Indeed, I have heard this verse cited many, many times—usually in a pejorative or individualistic sense. In Mk. 14.17, Jesus makes the statement: “The poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want, but you will not always have me.” In a recent roundtable discussion with a group of people, here are some conclusions that people arrived at concerning the meaning of this statement: 1. It is a timeless truth, spoken by Jesus, asserting that the problem of poverty cannot be overcome. 2. Jesus is suggesting that we should do some nice things for ourselves because regardless of how much we help there will always be poor people. 3. There is a time and a place to help those in need. 4. Jesus’ statement is actually a critique of Judas’s and others’ complaining about the use of the anointing oil. Not to let the cat out of the bag but the fourth conclusion is my own. In what follows, I will show ...