Mark 12:41-44

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:41-44

The widow's mite. The presence of this poor widow, among unspiritual and ostentatious worshippers and offerers, is as a sunbeam amidst the gloom, a rose in the wilderness. It is a touching picture, this of the lonely woman, who had lost her husband, and whose heart was sad, whose means were scanty, and whose life was obscure and cheerless. But she had found strength and consolation in waiting upon God. And the temple, the appointed place for worship, with its services, so helpful to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:41-44

The widow's two mites. The treasury, "in front of the sanctuary," consisted of thirteen brazen chests, called "trumpets" from their peculiar, shape, "swelling out beneath, and tapering upward into a narrow mouth or opening, into which the contributions were put." The contributions given were towards the sacrifice fund, and they were voluntary. This incident has a deep, permanent interest for all Christians. I. CHRIST 'S OBSERVATION OF RELIGIOUS GIVING . He "sat over against... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:41-44

The widow's gift. How many lessons cluster around this unique incident! The watchful eye which is ever over the treasury of the Lord's temple; the discernment between the gifts that come of "superfluity" large turbans in themselves but small in comparison with the abundance left untouched; and the gifts that betoken the penury of the giver, but at the same time declare the entireness with which all his living is devoted to the service of God; and the great Master's principle of judgment.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:41-44

The gift of poverty. I. THE MOTIVE MAKES THE ACTION SPIRITUAL. It is mechanical, conventional, without relation to the spiritual sphere, otherwise. II. LOVE MAGNIFIES THE VALUE OF THE SMALLEST GIFT . The flower to the sick person, the penny in the plate, may be worth much. The condition of the world would be indictable without the multitude of such little deeds. III. THE TRUE STANDARD OF WORTH IN LIFE SHOULD BE CLEARLY KEP T IN MIND . We... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:41-44

Parallel passage: Luke 21:1-4 .— The widow's mite. I. THE VALUE INDICATED. A mite ( λεπτόν ) was something very small; our word to represent it being from minute , through the French mite. The value of the two was three-fourth of an English farthing. But it was her all, and showed her singular self-denial. Accordingly, our Lord measured the merit of her liberality not by the amount she gave, but by the self-denial which the gift involved. II. CHRIST SEES ALL... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:42

A poor widow ( μία χήρα πτωχὴ ); literally, one poor widow ; one specially singled out for notice. St. Luke says, εἷδε δὲ καί τινα χήραν πενιχρὰν : literally, a widow who supported herself by her own little labor. And she cast in two mites ( λεπτὰ ), which make a farthing . The farthing was the fourth part of an as , and ten of these made a denarius. The Greek word ( λεπτὰ ) means literally "thin pieces." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 12:42-44

The widow's mite. If we get a single ray of light, decompose and analyze it, we may argue from it to all the light that floods the world; to its nature, its source, and its effects. So this act of generosity and devotion, simple and slight though it is in itself, contains in it elements of truth which are world-wide in application. Amongst the many lessons it teaches, we select the following:— I. THAT GOD 'S PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO BE GIVERS . Many have a singular... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 12:41

Sat over against - Opposite to, in full sight of.The treasury - This was in the court of the women. See the notes at Matthew 21:12. In that court there were fixed a number of places or coffers, made with a large open mouth in the shape of a trumpet, for the purpose of receiving the offerings of the people; and the money thus contributed was devoted to the service of the temple - to incense, sacrifices, etc. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 12:42

Two mites - The word translated “mite” denotes a small coin made of brass - the smallest in use among the Jews. The precise value cannot now be easily estimated. It was much less than any coin we have, as the “farthing” was less than an English farthing. It was in value about three mills and a half, or one-third of a cent. read more

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