Devine Scripture

Mark 14:7

What does Mark 14:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:7 means

Jesus says the poor will always be present and can be helped anytime, but He will not always be with them in this way. He is not minimizing the poor; He is magnifying a unique, unrepeatable opportunity to honor Him before His death. The statement separates ongoing duties from singular moments in salvation history. It teaches that love for Jesus orders all other loves. When He is bodily present and near His suffering, devotion rightly concentrates on Him. Generosity to the poor remains good, yet it cannot displace worship of the Lord who, by His death, brings true hope to the poor and to all.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The poor you have ever with you, and whenever you have the desire you may do them good: but me you have not for ever.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the poor always ye have with you, and whenever ye may will ye are able to do them good, but me ye have not always;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the poor you have always with you: and whensoever you will, you may do them good: but me you have not always.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for ye have the poor always with you, and whenever ye would ye can do them good; but me ye have not always.

Context

Jesus continues His defense, answering the claim that the perfume should have been sold for charity. He clarifies priorities without dismissing compassion. This prepares for the key interpretation in the next verse—that the anointing anticipates His burial. By highlighting His limited remaining time with them, Jesus gently signals the nearness of the cross. The narrative will soon widen to Judas’ plot, but first Jesus will honor the woman’s action with prophetic significance and a worldwide memorial, contrasting starkly with the leaders’ and Judas’ self-serving calculations.

v.6But Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

v.7This passage

v.8She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 3:16

    Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

  • John 16:5

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

  • 2 Corinthians 9:13

    seeing that through the proving of you by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution unto them and unto all;

  • Matthew 25:35

    for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;

  • John 12:7

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

  • Matthew 26:11

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

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