Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:9

What does Matthew 26:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:9 means

The disciples argue the perfume could have been sold for much and given to the poor, appealing to charitable reasoning. Their defense frames compassion for the poor as more important than ceremonial honor. While generosity is good, their objection misses the woman’s specific intent and the peculiar timing of Jesus’ anointing. This verse indicates sincere but misapplied concern. It also shows how moral arguments can be used to criticize genuine worship when motives and context aren’t properly understood.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For we might have got much money for this and given it to the poor.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for this ointment could have been sold for much, and given to the poor.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For this might have been sold for much and given to the poor.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for this might have been sold for much and been given to the poor.

Context

This verse is the disciples’ pragmatic justification for their indignation, following the anointing. It sets up Jesus’ counterpoint, which balances care for the needy with recognition of a unique, sacramental act aimed at preparing Jesus for what lies ahead. The reader should see this exchange as part of the chapter’s broader exploration of true devotion versus superficial judgments.

v.8But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

v.9This passage

v.10But Jesus perceiving it said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

Cross references

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

  • John 12:5

    Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred shillings, and given to the poor?

  • 1 Samuel 15:21

    But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God in Gilgal.

  • 2 Kings 5:20

    But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: as Jehovah liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

  • Mark 14:5

    For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred shillings, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

  • Joshua 7:20

    And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Of a truth I have sinned against Jehovah, the God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:

  • 1 Samuel 15:9

    But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

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