There is some weak manuscript evidence for the omission of this verse as an original part of the Greek text. It is possible that these words were added at an early date by a scribe who recalled the similar words of Jesus in Matthew 26.11 and Mark 14.7. However, in light of the overwhelming manuscript evidence in support of this verse, the UBS Committee on the Greek text felt justified in retaining it. They rate their decision a “C” choice, indicating a reasonable degree of doubt regarding its authenticity.

Although both were considered good works, the rabbis ranked the care of the dead superior to almsgiving. In this verse “the poor” and “me” are in emphatic positions in the Greek sentence, as is reflected in the rather literal rendering of New American Bible: “The poor you always have with you, but me you will not always have.”

A literal translation of You will always have poor people with you could be misunderstood to mean “You will always have about you poor people whom you retain as helpers” or “you will always be surrounded by poor people.” Obviously, such renderings should be avoided. A more satisfactory translation may be “There will always be poor people among you, but I will not always be among you” or “Poor people will always be with you, but I will not always be with you.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .