God’s Word Translation
John 12:8
8You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you.”
John 12:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
- New International Version (NIV)You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
Context of John 12:8
6(Judas didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the moneybag and carried the contributions.) 7Jesus said to Judas, “Leave her alone! She has done this to prepare me for the day I will be placed in a tomb. You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you.” 9A large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was in Bethany. So they went there not only to see Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had brought back to life. 10The chief priests planned to kill Lazarus too.
Read all of John 12John 12:8 word by word
τοὺς πτωχοὺς γὰρ πάντοτε ἔχετε μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν, ἐμὲ δὲ οὐ πάντοτε ἔχετε.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for John 12:8
- Deuteronomy 15:11There will always be poor people in the land. That’s why I command you to be generous to other Israelites who are poor and needy.
- Matthew 26:11You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me with you.
- Mark 14:7You will always have the poor with you and can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have me with you.
- John 12:35Jesus answered the crowd, “The light will still be with you for a little while. Walk while you have light so that darkness won’t defeat you. Those who walk in the dark don’t know where they’re going.
- John 8:21Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, “I’m going away, and you’ll look for me. But you will die because of your sin. You can’t go where I’m going.”
- John 13:33Jesus said, “Dear children, I will still be with you for a little while. I’m telling you what I told the Jews. You will look for me, but you can’t go where I’m going.
- John 16:5“Now I’m going to the one who sent me. Yet, none of you asks me where I’m going.
- Acts 1:9After he had said this, he was taken to heaven. A cloud hid him so that they could no longer see him.
Commentaries on John 12:8
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2-8Verses 2-8 See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 26:3-16. John 12:2 A supper - At the house of Simon the leper, Matthew 26:6. Lazarus was - The names of Martha and Lazarus are mentioned because it was not in their own house, but in that of Simon. Lazarus is particularly mentioned, since it was so remarkable that one who had been once dead should be enjoying again the endearments of friendship. This shows, also, that his resurrection was no…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8Jesus would not ignore the poor. He cared deeply for people in need. However, this moment to honor and serve him was unique. It was a special opportunity that would not happen again.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-11(See on Mt 26:6-13). 1-8. six days before the passover--that is, on the sixth day before it; probably after sunset on Friday evening, or the commencement of the Jewish sabbath preceding the passover.Read the comment
Topics related to John 12:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on John 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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