Mark 12:42

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} there came {G2064} a certain {G3391} poor {G4434} widow {G5503}, and she threw in {G906} two {G1417} mites {G3016}, which make {G3603} a farthing {G2835}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but a poor widow came and put in two small coins.

Berean Standard Bible

Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 12:42 introduces a pivotal moment in Jesus' teaching at the Temple, highlighting a profound contrast between the ostentatious giving of the wealthy and the humble, yet deeply sacrificial, offering of a poor widow. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' radical redefinition of true generosity, revealing that God values the heart and proportion of a gift far more than its absolute monetary value, making the widow's seemingly insignificant contribution an eternal testament to faith and devotion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a broader section of Mark's Gospel (chapters 11-12) where Jesus is in Jerusalem, engaging in intense debates and teachings in the Temple courts just before His passion. Immediately preceding this verse, [Mark 12:38-40](/mark/12-38-40 "Mark 12:38-40 - Jesus Condemns the Scribes") records Jesus' strong condemnation of the scribes for their hypocrisy, self-exaltation, and exploitation of vulnerable widows. This condemnation provides a stark backdrop for the widow's genuine piety. Following [Mark 12:42](/mark/12-42 "Mark 12:42 - The Widow's Mite"), Jesus directly comments on her actions in [Mark 12:43-44](/mark/12-43-44 "Mark 12:43-44 - Jesus' Commentary on the Widow's Offering"), explicitly stating that she gave more than all the others because she gave "all that she had, even all her living." This narrative sequence powerfully illustrates the principles Jesus had just taught, moving from abstract warning to concrete example.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene unfolds in the Temple treasury, likely the Court of Women, where thirteen trumpet-shaped collection chests (known as "Corban chests") were placed for various offerings. People would deposit their contributions publicly, often drawing attention. In ancient Jewish society, widows were among the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, often lacking male protectors or independent means of support. They were frequently dependent on family, charity, or the meager provisions of the Mosaic Law. Their economic plight was often severe, making the act of giving away their last coins an act of extreme desperation or profound faith. The coins mentioned, "mites" (Greek: _lepta_) and a "farthing" (Greek: _kodrantes_), were the smallest denominations of currency in circulation, emphasizing the absolute insignificance of the amount in worldly terms, yet its immense spiritual weight. A _lepton_ was the smallest Jewish copper coin, and a _kodrantes_ was a Roman copper coin equivalent to two _lepta_, roughly 1/64th of a denarius (a common day's wage).

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of the widow's mite powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout Mark's Gospel and broader biblical teaching. Foremost is the theme of **True Sacrifice vs. Outward Show**, contrasting the superficiality of religious performance with genuine devotion. While the rich gave from their abundance, the widow gave from her poverty, highlighting that the value of an offering is measured by the heart and the proportion given, not the absolute amount. This leads to the theme of **God's Perspective**, which radically differs from human evaluation; God sees beyond material contributions to the spiritual commitment and trust involved, as Jesus explicitly states in [Mark 12:43-44](/mark/12-43-44 "Mark 12:43-44 - Jesus' Divine Evaluation"). Furthermore, the widow's act is a profound demonstration of **Faith and Trust**, as she relinquishes her entire livelihood, embodying a complete reliance on divine providence. Finally, her offering exemplifies **Devotion** – a pure act of worship, not seeking human praise or recognition, but solely focused on God. These themes challenge believers to examine their own motivations and priorities in all aspects of their discipleship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **poor (Greek, _ptōchós_):** This term describes a beggar or pauper, someone in absolute destitution, often cringing or crouching due to their poverty. Unlike _penēs_ (which denotes merely straitened circumstances), _ptōchós_ signifies public mendicancy and utter lack. Its use here emphasizes the widow's complete economic vulnerability, making her subsequent act of giving all the more striking.
* **widow (Greek, _chḗra_):** Derived from a root suggesting deficiency or lack, this word refers to a woman who has lost her husband. In ancient society, a widow was typically without a male protector and often lacked legal or economic rights, rendering her highly susceptible to exploitation and extreme poverty. The term underscores her precarious social and financial position.
* **mites (Greek, _leptón_):** The neuter form of a word related to "scaled" or "light," _leptón_ refers to the smallest Jewish copper coin, virtually worthless in commercial transactions. The fact that she gave "two" of these coins highlights the absolute minimal nature of her offering in terms of monetary value, yet it represented her entire financial possession.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there came a certain poor widow":** This clause introduces the central figure of the narrative, emphasizing her social and economic status. The use of "certain" (Greek: _mía_, meaning "one" or "a certain") suggests she was an anonymous individual, highlighting that her worth was not in her public recognition but in her private act of devotion. Her designation as "poor widow" immediately evokes sympathy and sets up the dramatic contrast with the wealthy donors.
* **"and she threw in two mites":** This describes her specific action. The verb "threw in" (Greek: _bállō_) can imply a decisive, perhaps even forceful, action, suggesting a deliberate and committed act rather than a casual one. The "two mites" (Greek: _dýo leptá_) are explicitly identified as the smallest possible offering, underscoring the seemingly insignificant nature of her contribution from a human perspective.
* **"which make a farthing":** This explanatory clause provides a crucial detail about the monetary value. A "farthing" (Greek: _kodrántēs_) was a Roman coin equivalent to two _lepta_. This detail confirms the extreme smallness of her offering, making it clear that her entire contribution was of negligible commercial worth, solidifying the contrast between the world's valuation and God's.

#### Literary Devices
Mark's account of the widow's mite is rich with **Contrast**, a primary literary device that underscores the central message. The scene is set by contrasting the wealthy individuals who "put in much" with the "poor widow" who put in "two mites." This stark opposition highlights the difference between giving from abundance and giving from utter destitution, challenging the conventional understanding of generosity. There is also a profound **Irony** at play: what is monetarily insignificant becomes spiritually paramount. The smallest offering is declared by Jesus to be the greatest. Furthermore, the narrative employs **Symbolism**; the "two mites" are not just coins but symbolize the widow's entire livelihood, her complete trust, and her unreserved devotion. Her act becomes a powerful symbol of true sacrifice, embodying the very essence of discipleship. The narrative also functions as a **Parable-in-Action**, where Jesus uses a real-life observation to teach a profound spiritual truth, making the abstract concept of sacrificial giving tangible and memorable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The story of the widow's mite transcends a simple lesson on giving; it is a profound theological statement about the nature of true worship, the divine economy, and the radical demands of discipleship. It reveals that God's evaluation system is entirely counter-cultural, prioritizing the heart's posture and the proportion of sacrifice over the absolute quantity of a gift. Her act embodies complete trust in God's provision, even when it means relinquishing one's perceived security. This narrative challenges believers to re-evaluate their understanding of generosity, stewardship, and dependence on God, reminding them that genuine faith often manifests in costly acts of surrender, demonstrating a love that holds nothing back.

* [Luke 21:1-4](/luke/21-1-4 "The Parallel Account of the Widow's Offering")
* [2 Corinthians 8:12](/2_corinthians/8-12 "Giving According to What One Has")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Honoring God with Your Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of the poor widow challenges us to look beyond the surface of our actions and examine the true motivations of our hearts. It compels us to ask if our giving, our service, and indeed our entire lives, are characterized by a willingness to offer our "all" to God, or if we are merely giving from our surplus, holding back what we deem essential for ourselves. This story is not a call to financial destitution for everyone, but a profound invitation to radical trust and wholehearted devotion. It teaches us that God values our willingness to sacrifice, our faith in His provision, and the love that fuels our actions, far more than any material contribution. It reminds us that even the smallest acts, when offered with a pure and sacrificial heart, are immeasurably precious in God's sight and carry eternal significance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life (time, talent, treasure) am I holding back, rather than giving sacrificially?**
* **How does my understanding of "generosity" align with Jesus' perspective revealed in this story?**
* **What would it look like for me to give "all that I have" in a specific area of my life, trusting God for the outcome?**
* **Am I more concerned with the appearance of my giving or the heart behind it?**

### FAQ
**What was the actual value of the widow's offering in modern terms?**

Answer: While it's difficult to give an exact modern equivalent due to differences in economies and cost of living, the "two mites" (Greek: _dýo leptá_) which made a "farthing" (Greek: _kodrántēs_) represented the smallest possible monetary offering in ancient Israel. A _kodrántēs_ was roughly 1/64th of a denarius, which was a typical day's wage for a laborer. So, her offering was equivalent to about 1/64th of a day's wage, an incredibly tiny sum by any standard, emphasizing its absolute insignificance in commercial terms, yet its immense spiritual value.

**Why did Jesus highlight this particular woman and her offering?**

Answer: Jesus highlighted the poor widow and her offering because it perfectly illustrated a profound spiritual truth that contrasted sharply with the prevailing religious practices of His day. He had just condemned the scribes for their hypocrisy and self-serving actions ([Mark 12:38-40](/mark/12-38-40 "Mark 12:38-40 - Jesus Condemns the Scribes")), and the wealthy donors were likely giving ostentatiously for public acclaim. The widow, in her anonymity and extreme poverty, demonstrated genuine, sacrificial devotion that was invisible to human eyes but profoundly significant to God. Jesus used her as a living parable to teach that true generosity is measured not by the amount given, but by the proportion of what is given and the heart of the giver, emphasizing faith and trust over outward show.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The poor widow's ultimate act of sacrificial giving in [Mark 12:42](/mark/12-42 "Mark 12:42 - The Widow's Mite") serves as a profound foreshadowing and reflection of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the widow gave "all that she had, even all her living" ([Mark 12:44](/mark/12-44 "Mark 12:44 - Jesus' Commentary")), Jesus, though rich, "became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Generosity")). He did not merely give a portion of His abundance; He emptied Himself, laying aside His divine prerogatives and ultimately His very life, for the redemption of humanity. The widow's offering, seemingly insignificant in worldly terms, was her "all," pointing to the Lamb of God who offered His "all" on the cross, a sacrifice of infinite value that covered the sins of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Her act of complete trust in God's provision mirrors Christ's perfect obedience to the Father's will, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Thus, the widow's mite becomes a powerful illustration of the principle of total surrender and self-giving love that finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.