Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 12:7-8

"Jesus therefore said, Suffer her to keep it against the day of my burying. For the poor ye have always with you; but me ye have not always." — John 12:7-8 (ASV)

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you: but me ye have not always.

Christ was himself ever caring for the poor, so he would not discourage any effort on their behalf, but just then, one of his most devoted disciples desired to render to him special honour, and he would not let her be rebuked; but on the contrary, he pointed out the deep symbolical meaning of her loving action.