Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 26:11

"For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always." — Matthew 26:11 (ASV)

For you have the poor, etc. Mark adds, Whenever you will you may do them good. It was right that they should regard the poor. It was a plain precept of religion (Proverbs 14:21; Proverbs 29:7; Galatians 2:10), and our Saviour would not prohibit it, but do all that was possible to excite his followers to the duty. But every duty should be done in its place, and the duty then incumbent was that which Mary had performed. They would afterwards have abundant occasion to show their regard for the poor.

Me you have not always. He alludes here to his dying, and his going away to heaven. He would be their Friend and their Saviour, but he would not be bodily present with them always, so that they could show kindness in this way to him.