Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 26:9

"For this [ointment] might have been sold for much, and given to the poor." — Matthew 26:9 (ASV)

With Judas as their spokesman , the disciples fail to understand what is taking place, not only in the anointing, but also in who Jesus truly is and in the rush of redemptive events toward the Cross (17:22–23; 20:18–19). Doubtless there were thousands of poor people within a few miles of this anointing.