FocusAnointing and the plot
Connection to the wholeThe plot, anointing, and Judas' agreement place devotion and betrayal side by side as Jesus' death approaches.
interpretation Matthew 26:11
KJVFor ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Read it in context
The approaching betrayal
Start reading at Matthew 26:1 (Matthew 26:1 to Matthew 26:16).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The plot, anointing, and Judas' agreement place devotion and betrayal side by side as Jesus' death approaches.
- 26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
- 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
- 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
- 26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
- 26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
- 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
- 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
- 26:8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
- 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
- 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
- 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
- 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
- 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
- 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
- 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
- 26:16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Matthew the apostle and tax collector is the author named by early church tradition. This is the historic attribution, not a personal signature in the Gospel. Biblical references: Matthew 9:9; Matthew 10:3. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Matthew 26:1–26:75): Jesus and His disciples share the final supper and go to Gethsemane; Judas, the arresting party, the high priest, council members, and Peter appear in the arrest and hearing scenes. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? A Christian readership deeply familiar with Israel's Scriptures, commonly understood as substantially Jewish in background but also concerned with the Gentile mission. A particular congregation or city is not certain. Biblical references: Matthew 1:1; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 28:19. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Matthew, Gospel of. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The approaching betrayal. Read Matthew 26:1 through Matthew 26:16 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The plot, anointing, and Judas' agreement place devotion and betrayal side by side as Jesus' death approaches. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The narrative moves from Jesus' ancestry and birth through His ministry, death, resurrection, and commission. The Gospel does not state a modern calendar date for its composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative includes Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth, Galilee, journeys, and Jerusalem. A discourse or parable can describe places other than where Jesus is speaking. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The approaching betrayal (Matthew 26:1 to Matthew 26:16). Start reading at Matthew 26:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus is the central figure. Matthew identifies Him as Emmanuel, explains His saving mission, and concludes with His authority and commission. Read each teaching with its original listeners and its place in the narrative. See Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Join hearing Jesus' words with doing them. Distinguish instructions to named disciples on a particular mission from a general application, and keep conditions and warnings alongside promises. interpretation
Cited: Matthew 26:1, Matthew 26:16, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19
Who wrote it, and how we know
Matthew (Levi), the apostle
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author.
Early traditionEarly church testimony names Matthew the apostle, notably Papias in the early second century and Irenaeus later.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text. The titles were attached early but are not part of the original writing.
Related passages
- ye have Matt 25:34-40,42-45 Deut 15:11 Mark 14:7 John 12:8 Gal 2:10 1 John 3:17
- but Matt 18:20 Matt 28:20 John 13:33 John 14:19 John 16:5,28 John 17:11 Acts 3:21
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Matthew 26
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings.
Matthew 1:1 Matthew 28:18 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20
The supper and the warning
Matthew 26:17–35FocusCovenant and coming failure
Connection to the wholeJesus interprets His approaching death at the supper and warns the disciples about their coming desertion.
interpretation Gethsemane and arrest
Matthew 26:36–56FocusSubmission and abandonment
Connection to the wholePrayer in the garden leads to arrest, showing Jesus' obedience amid His disciples' weakness and flight.
interpretation Trial and denial
Matthew 26:57–75FocusConfession and fear
Connection to the wholeJesus' testimony before the council contrasts with Peter's denials outside, exposing the difference between His faithfulness and human failure.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Matthew
This Gospel presents Jesus in relation to Israel's Scriptures and follows His teaching, death, resurrection, and commission. It does not name a specific original recipient. Read individual sayings within their narrative and discourse settings.
Matthew 1:1 Matthew 28:18 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:20
The promised Messiah introduced
Matthew 1:1–4:16FocusOrigins and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe genealogy, birth, baptism, and temptation establish Jesus' identity and mission before His public preaching expands.
interpretation The kingdom proclaimed
Matthew 4:17–7:29FocusMinistry and the mountain discourse
Connection to the wholeJesus announces the kingdom, calls disciples, and teaches the righteousness and obedience that characterize His hearers' response.
interpretation Authority and mission
Matthew 8:1–10:42FocusWorks of mercy and sent disciples
Connection to the wholeHealings and other mighty works display Jesus' authority; He then commissions disciples and prepares them for opposition.
interpretation Responses to the kingdom
Matthew 11:1–13:58FocusOpposition, revelation, and parables
Connection to the wholeContrasting responses to Jesus lead into parables that explain hearing, growth, judgment, and the kingdom's value.
interpretation Following the Messiah
Matthew 14:1–18:35FocusIdentity, suffering, and community
Connection to the wholeJesus teaches disciples about His coming suffering and about humility, care for others, correction, and forgiveness.
interpretation Jerusalem and accountability
Matthew 19:1–25:46FocusConflict, judgment, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe journey to Jerusalem and temple disputes lead into warnings about judgment and the need for faithful readiness.
interpretation FocusThe crucified and risen Lord
Connection to the wholeJesus' passion and resurrection bring the narrative to the commission to teach all nations and obey His commands.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.