Mark 12 42

Mark 12:42 kjv

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

Mark 12:42 nkjv

Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.

Mark 12:42 niv

But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Mark 12:42 esv

And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.

Mark 12:42 nlt

Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.

Mark 12 verses

Mark 12 42 Meaning

Mark 12:42 describes a specific moment observed by Jesus in the Temple courtyard. It recounts that a destitute widow approached the Temple treasury and placed into it two small copper coins, known as lepta dyo, which collectively amounted to one quadrans – a coin of exceedingly minimal monetary value. This seemingly insignificant act is presented by Mark to set the stage for Jesus' profound teaching on the nature of true generosity and sacrifice, highlighting that the measure of a gift is not its quantity, but the heart and proportion with which it is given.

Mark 12 42 Context

Mark 12:42 immediately follows Jesus' strong condemnation of the scribes in Mark 12:38-40, whom He describes as those who "devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers." This scene at the Temple treasury thus serves as a powerful practical illustration and counter-example to the hypocrisy Jesus has just denounced. While the scribes exploit the vulnerable, the widow, one of their potential victims, exemplifies true piety through a seemingly meager offering.

The setting is the Temple, specifically the "Court of Women," where the treasury (Greek: gazophylakion) was located. This area contained thirteen trumpet-shaped collection chests where worshippers placed their monetary offerings. Jesus was seated, watching the people. Many wealthy individuals had contributed large sums (Mk 12:41). The verse then abruptly introduces the "poor widow" and her specific, almost negligible, offering, providing a stark contrast to the previous displays of wealth and the preceding warning against exploitation. This immediate juxtaposition is key to understanding Jesus' teaching in the following verses.

Historically and culturally, widows in ancient Jewish society were among the most vulnerable and often destitute, without male providers or protectors, heavily reliant on family, community, or charity. Her poverty was likely extreme, and her small offering, therefore, represented an extraordinary sacrifice.

Mark 12 42 Word analysis

• And (kai): A simple conjunction, yet crucial. It links this scene directly to Jesus' previous warning against those who "devour widows' houses," highlighting the irony and contrast.
• A poor widow (ptoche chēra):
  • Poor (ptoche): In Greek, ptochos signifies extreme, abject poverty, often implying begging or total dependence on others, as opposed to penēs, which denotes working poor. This emphasizes her destitution. Her state underscores the magnitude of her giving.
  • Widow (chēra): A woman whose husband has died. In that patriarchal society, widows were particularly vulnerable and often unprotected, without a means of livelihood, often facing exploitation, as Jesus alluded to concerning the scribes. Her identity elevates the significance of her act.
• Came (elthousa): The aorist participle indicates a completed action, she came deliberately. It signifies her intentional and active participation, she was not forced or pressured.
• And put in (kai ebale): The verb eballō means "to cast" or "to throw in," implying a decisive act. She did not merely place, but perhaps firmly dropped the coins into the collection trumpet, indicating resolve in her giving.
• Two small copper coins (lepta dyo):
  • Lepta (lepton, singular): This was the smallest Jewish coin in circulation, equivalent to less than a penny (Roman value). The duo (two) confirms she offered two of the absolute minimum units of currency.
  • Copper: Indicating its low intrinsic metallic value compared to silver or gold coinage. The very nature of these coins emphasizes their near-worthlessness in worldly terms.
• Which make a quadrans (ho estin kodrantēs):
  • Quadrans (kodrantēs): This was a Roman coin, the smallest denomination Roman coin allowed in Judea, equal to 1/64 of a denarius (a denarius being a typical day's wage for a laborer). This specific equivalence is provided for the audience, further clarifying the incredibly minuscule monetary value of her total offering, emphasizing that two of the smallest Jewish coins equated to one of the smallest Roman coins. It highlights her utter destitution, yet also her immense spiritual generosity.

Mark 12 42 Bonus section

• Jesus sitting "opposite the treasury" (Mark 12:41) signifies His posture of intentional observation and judgment. He wasn't merely passing by but was actively watching, discerning not just the acts but the hearts behind them.
• The profound impact of this story has resonated throughout Christian history, influencing Christian philanthropy and challenging believers to examine their motives in giving, focusing on heart-attitude rather than just the amount.
• The contrast is heightened by the immediately preceding condemnation of scribes who "devour widows' houses." This suggests Jesus wasn't just noting a pious act, but dramatically presenting the antithesis to the scribal exploitation – a widow who, despite being preyed upon by the religious elite, still gave everything in faithful devotion to God, exposing their hypocrisy through her profound piety.
• This verse subtly highlights divine providence: even the smallest currency, given faithfully, becomes significant in God's economy. The monetary insignificance emphasizes that God values the sacrifice and love more than the numerical value of the offering.

Mark 12 42 Commentary

Mark 12:42, though brief, is pivotal for understanding Jesus' teaching on true devotion and giving. It paints a picture of stark contrasts: the immense wealth of those contributing large sums versus the almost invisible contribution of a destitute widow. The fact that Jesus observed and then called His disciples' attention to this specific act speaks volumes. The verse sets the scene for the following interpretation: for Jesus, the external value of a gift meant nothing; what mattered was the internal disposition, the faith, and the proportion relative to the giver's means.

The widow's offering was not measured by human standards of abundance but by God's standard of sacrifice and heart. Her two small coins represented "all she had, all she had to live on" (Mark 12:44), making her act an ultimate expression of trust and devotion. This account refutes the worldly obsession with quantity and status, teaching that true generosity emanates from sacrificial love and unwavering faith, seen only by the discerning eyes of God, not by public display or human accolade. Her action, devoid of ostentation, stood as a living critique against the showy hypocrisy of the religious leaders.