How does Deuteronomy 15:11 relate to Jesus' statement in Mark 14:7? Deuteronomy 15:11 – God’s Standing Order “For there will never cease to be poor in the land; therefore I command you to open your hand to your brother and to the needy and the poor in your land.” • Spoken right after instructions for the seventh-year cancellation of debts (15:1-10). • Acknowledges a hard reality: poverty will persist in a fallen world. • Couples that realism with a clear directive: keep your hand—and heart—open. • Compassion is not optional; it is covenant life in action (cf. Leviticus 25:35-38; Proverbs 19:17). Mark 14:7 – Jesus Echoes Moses in Bethany “The poor you will always have with you, and you can do good to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have Me.” • Scene: a woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume; some protest the “waste.” • Jesus cites Deuteronomy 15:11 verbatim, rooting His words in Torah authority (also Matthew 26:11; John 12:8). • He affirms enduring responsibility for the poor while highlighting a unique, time-sensitive act of worship toward Him. Shared Truths between the Passages • Persistent poverty is a given; generous care is God’s perpetual command. • The citation shows Jesus’ full agreement with the Law’s moral heart. • Neither text permits indifference—both spotlight active, tangible mercy. • Worship and compassion are not competitors; they belong together. What Jesus Was—and Was Not—Saying • He was not dismissing aid to the poor; He assumed His followers would keep doing it “whenever you wish.” • He was elevating a once-in-history moment: honoring the Messiah before His burial (Isaiah 53:9; Psalm 16:10). • By referencing Deuteronomy, He called listeners back to the Law’s generosity mandate even as He accepted sacrificial worship for Himself. Practical Takeaways • Hold generosity as a lifestyle, not an occasional project (Galatians 2:10; James 2:14-17). • Recognize special moments to pour extravagant love on Christ—through worship, obedience, and service to “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). • Keep Jesus central: meet urgent human needs while never neglecting devotion to the Lord who meets our deepest need (Luke 10:38-42). |
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