OT in Christ's Passion

"For you have the poor with you always" - Mathew 26:11.

Jesus says this, justifying the extravagant and expensive anointing of his feet against the opportunity to use this money for the poor. I always thought He was pooh-poohing the poor here, until I realized Jesus was referencing Deut 15:11 (emphasis mine):

"For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’"

So the point is to be generous to the one who is with you - who is near you - your neighbor. To Jesus, if He is with you. To the poor, if they are with you. And by the way, the poor are always with you, so ALWAYS be generous to them...