John 12:8

In the next place, Christ having defended Mary, doth now answer to his great objection and pretence of caring for the poore. The defence is taken from this, that this opportunity of honouring him would not alwayes last, whereas they might alwayes have occasion to be charitable to the poore. He speaks it in the plural number, ye have the poor, &c. either because he would presse this as a common duty, on all, as well as Mary; or rather he speaks it to all the Disciples, who had joined with Judas in this act, as the other Evangilists observe. Doctrine 1. Christ is so meek, even to his cruel enemies, that he will not alwayes tell them all he knoweth of them, when he reproveth them, but will let them discover themselves; for, he will not tell Judas his false heart, but simply replies to any ground of objection he alleaged. And this he doth; partly, because moe were engaged then Judas, whom therefore he will satisfie; Partly, that he may warn men not to seek to carry their cause by reflections upon the persons of their opposites, while as they want solide reasons for their cause; partly, that he may teach all, to beware of judging mens hearts, when yet they have not discovered themselves; for, he will not deal so with Judas: And partly, that from this his meek dealing toward a Judas, we may gather how much more meek he will be to his own. 2. The Lord hath so ordered, that when diverse dutie; which cannot be performed together, tryst together in one juncture of time, the one of them may give way to the other for that time, without sinne; And particularly, Duties, which occurre rarely, and cannot be got done afterward, should be gone about in the opportunity thereof, albeit other important duties be laid aside for that time, which may be overtaken at another time; As here he cleareth in the matter of putting this external honour upon him, when it trysts with the command of having a care of the poor; And for this reason he preferreth this duty to himselfe now, The poor ye have alwayes, but me ye have not alwayes 3. Albeit it be a sin to defraud Parents, the poor, or others, of what they may expect in duty, justice or mercy; under a pretext of laying out what men have, for God, Matth. 15.4, 5, 6. Yet when Christ calls for any thing we have, no other thing should come in competition with him; for, when he calls for it, he takes place of the poor here. 4. Men may sometime have an opportunity of employing themselves, or their substance, in honouring of Christ or doing him service, which they will not so readily meet with again, if they let it slip; for, so much is imported here, me ye have not alwayes. Mary could not alwayes have opportunity to testifie her respect thus to Christ, nay not when he was dead and buried, and therefore she takes this present opportunity. 5. The Lord will have his people never to weary of mercy to the poore; and therefore doth continue constant objects of pity among them; for, The poore alwayes have ye with you. See Deut. 15.11.