Mark 14:7

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 14:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always.
Mark 14:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For ye have the poor with you always, etc..] (See Gill on “<402611>Matthew 26:11”); and whensoever ye will ye may do them good; by feeding them when hungry, clothing them when naked, and supplying them with the necessaries of life: but me ye have not always; meaning, with respect to his bodily presence, which, in a short time, would be removed from them, and they would have no opportunity of showing him any such outward respect personally; (see Gill on “<402611>Matthew 26:11”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 26:1-16. Mark 14:1 And of unleavened bread - So called because at that feast no other bread was used but that which had been made without leaven or yeast. By craft - By subtlety (Matthew); that is, by some secret plan that would secure possession of him without exciting the opposition of the people. Mark 14:3 Ointment - This word does not convey quite the proper meaning. This was a perfume. It was used only to give a pleasant odor, and was liquid. Of spikenard - The “nard,” from which this perfume was made, is a plant of the East Indies, with a small, slender stalk, and a heavy, thick root. The best perfume is obtained from the root, though…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“ye have: Deu 15:11; Mat 25:35-45, Mat 26:11; Joh 12:7, Joh 12:8; Co2 9:13, Co2 9:14; Plm 1:7; Jam 2:14-16; Jo1 3:16-19 but: Joh 13:33, Joh 16:5, Joh 16:28, Joh 17:11; Act 3:21 Mark 14:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification