Mark 12:43-44

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 12:41-44

This passage of story was not in Matthew, but is here and in Luke; it is Christ's commendation of the poor widow, that cast two mites into the treasury, which our Saviour, busy as he was in preaching, found leisure to take notice of. Observe, I. There was a public fund for charity, into which contributions were brought, and out of which distributions were made; a poor?s-box, and this in the temple; for works of charity and works of piety very fitly go together; where God is honoured by our... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 12:41-44

12:41-44 When Jesus had sat down opposite the treasury, he was watching how the crowd threw their money into the treasury, and many rich people threw in large sums. A poor widow woman came and threw in two mites which make up half a farthing. He called his disciples and said to them, "This is the truth I tell you--this poor widow woman has thrown in more than an the people who threw money into the treasury, for all of them threw their contributions in out of their abundance, but she out of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 12:43

And he called unto him, his disciples ,.... Who were at some little distance from him, he having finished his discourses: and saith unto them, verily I say unto you : a way of speaking he often used, when he was about to deliver something of importance, and not so easy of belief, and which required attention, and what he solemnly affirmed: that this poor widow , pointing to her, hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury : not that she had cast in more, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 12:44

For all they did cast in of their abundance ,.... Or "superabundance", as the Arabic version renders it; or "superfluity", as the Ethiopic: they abounded in the things of the world, of which they gave only a part; and though they might give much, yet they could easily spare it, and had enough remaining: but she, of her want ; or "penury", as in Luke 21:4 ; see 2 Corinthians 8:2 ; did cast in all that she had, even all her living ; her whole substance, all that she had in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 12:43

Verse 43 Mark 12:43.Verily I say to you. This reply of Christ contains a highly useful doctrine that whatever men offer to God ought to be estimated not by its apparent value, (122) but only by the feeling of the heart, and that the holy affection of him who according to his small means, offers to God the little that he has, is more worthy of esteem than that of him who offers a hundred times more out of his abundance. In two ways this doctrine is useful, for the poor who appear not to have the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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