This poor widow hath cast more in ... - That is, more in proportion to her means, and therefore more that was acceptable to God. He does not mean that this was more in value than all which the others had put in but it showed more love to the sacred cause, more self-denial, and, of course, more sincerity in what she did. This is the rule by which God will reward us. Compare 2 Corinthians 8:12. read more
Mark 12:41-44. Jesus sat over against the treasury “Jesus was now in the treasury, or that part of the women’s court where the chests were placed for receiving the offerings of those who came to worship. These chests, being thirteen in number, had each of them an inscription, signifying for what use the offerings put into them were destined; and were fixed to the pillars of the portico which surrounded the court. From these voluntary contributions were bought wood for the altar, salt, and... read more
130. The widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)In one of the courts of the temple were large containers into which people dropped their gifts of money. The containers were in an open place, and onlookers could easily see how much people put in. Also, those who gave a lot could easily attract attention to themselves. Jesus noticed that some of the rich gave generously, but a poor widow gave an amount so small that it was almost of no value in the local market place (Mark 12:41-42).Jesus,... read more
Verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 . this poor widow = this widow; and she a poor one. read more
And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they are casting into the treasury.More than all they ... Cranfield said this probably means "more than all of those put together."[18](1) This teaches that a gift to be valuable in the sight of God is not solely determined by the face amount of it. The motive, attitude, and financial condition of the giver are taken into consideration.(2) Christ did not condemn the widow for... read more
Mark 12:42-44. She threw in two mites, which make a farthing, &c.— Κοδραντης . This coin in value was no more than three-fourths of our farthing: wherefore the offering given by this poor widow was very small in itself, though in another respect it was a great gift, being all that she had, even all her living. We can hardly suppose, that at each of the chests there were officers placed to receive and count the money which the people offered, and to name the sum aloud before they put it in;... read more
B. Jesus’ teaching in the temple 11:27-12:44This entire section contains Jesus’ teaching in the temple courtyard on Wednesday. The religious leaders first questioned Jesus’ authority (Mark 11:12 to Mark 12:12) and then His teaching (Mark 12:13-37). Finally Jesus condemned their hypocrisy and commended a widow’s action that demonstrated reality (Mark 12:38-44). Jesus functioned as a faithful servant of the Lord in the role of a prophet here. read more
3. Jesus’ condemnation of hypocrisy and commendation of reality 12:38-44Jesus proceeded to condemn His accusers who had condemned Him. They had condemned Him because He did not fit their ideas of Messiah. He had shown that the Old Testament presented a different Messiah than the one they wanted. Now He condemned them for failing to measure up to what the Old Testament required of them. This section concludes Mark’s account of Jesus’ public ministry and resumes Jesus’ teaching of His disciples. read more
Jesus’ commendation of reality 12:41-44 (cf. Luke 21:1-4)This incident contrasts the spiritual poverty and physical prosperity of the scribes with the physical poverty and spiritual prosperity of the widow. It also contrasts the greed of the scribes with the generosity of the widow. It resumes Jesus’ instruction of His disciples (Mark 12:41 to Mark 13:37). This pericope brings the themes of true piety (the woman) and hardened unbelief (the scribes) to a climax. [Note: See Geoffrey Smith, "A... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:43-44
This poor widow hath cast in more . The right reading of the verb here is ἔβαλε , not βέβληκε ; this aoristic rendering has very good authority —this poor widow cast in m ore. Her act is completed, and has gone up for a memorial before God. She "gave" more than all the others who are casting ( τῶν βαλλόντων ), not "have cast in ( τῶν βαλόντων )." She gave more, when she threw in those two mites, than all the others were giving—more, that is, in the estimation of him who... read more