Devine Scripture

John 12:8

What does John 12:8 mean?

A plain-English look at John 12:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 12:8 means

Jesus does not dismiss the poor; He acknowledges their ongoing presence and the enduring duty to care for them. But He insists that His followers recognize the uniqueness of the moment: they will not always have Him with them in the same way. This places Mary’s act in a category of timely, fitting devotion as the cross approaches. It is not a choice between love for Jesus and love for the poor; rather, it is about honoring the Son while He is bodily present on the eve of His passion. Priorities must be set by God’s redemptive timetable, not by appearances alone.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The poor you have ever with you, but me you have not for ever.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the poor ye have always with yourselves, and me ye have not always.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always.

Context

Jesus completes His defense of Mary by setting priorities shaped by His imminent death. The reminder that the poor remain, while His earthly presence is brief, answers Judas’s complaint without disparaging compassion. With this exchange concluded, the camera shifts to the larger public: crowds seek Jesus and Lazarus, and the chief priests escalate their plans. The private act of anointing now leads into public interest and opposition, preparing for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the intensifying conflict.

v.7Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying.

v.8This passage

v.9The common people therefore of the Jews learned that he was there: and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 1:9

    And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

  • John 12:35

    Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

  • 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 unto you.

  • John 8:21

    He said therefore again unto them, I go away, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sin: whither I go, ye cannot come.

  • Song of Solomon 5:6

    I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

  • John 16:5

    But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

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