41And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched how the crowd was throwing copper coins into the treasury. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts. [12:42] And a destitute widow came and threw in two lepta, which is a penny. [12:43] And calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Truly I say to you, this destitute widow has thrown in more than all those throwing into the treasury. [12:44] For they all threw in from their surplus, but she, out of her destitution, threw in everything she had — her entire livelihood."
MRK 12:41-44
The Widowʼs Offering
In the world it was spoken into
First-century listeners would have understood the temple treasury as a public space where offerings were made, often conspicuously. The act of giving was tied to social standing and religious devotion. The term "" (copper coins) would immediately signal the lowest denominations, contrasting with the "much" given by the wealthy. The "" (destitute beggar) widow would be recognized as someone without male protection or means of support, relying on charity or meager labor. Her offering of " " (two lepta), the smallest Jewish coins, would be seen as monetarily insignificant. However, the emphasis on "" (livelihood) would highlight that she gave her entire means of subsistence, a stark contrast to the surplus offerings of others. This act would challenge conventional understandings of generosity, where the value of a gift was typically measured by its monetary worth.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 12:41
- KJV
- And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
- BSB
- As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd putting money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts.
- Koinōnos
- And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched how the crowd was throwing copper coins into the treasury. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts.
MRK 12:42
- KJV
- And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
- BSB
- Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius.
- Koinōnos
- And a destitute widow came and threw in two lepta, which is a penny.
MRK 12:43
- KJV
- And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
- BSB
- Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury.
- Koinōnos
- And calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Truly I say to you, this destitute widow has thrown in more than all those throwing into the treasury.
MRK 12:44
- KJV
- For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
- BSB
- For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
- Koinōnos
- For they all threw in from their surplus, but she, out of her destitution, threw in everything she had — her entire livelihood.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 12:41
- crowd:The word translated 'crowd' here refers to bronze or copper coins, the smallest denomination of currency, not a group of people.
MRK 12:42
- poor:The word translated 'poor' here meant a destitute beggar—someone utterly dependent on alms—not the working poor.
- lepta:The term 'lepta' refers to the smallest Jewish copper coins, which were of very little value, emphasizing the widow's extreme poverty.
MRK 12:44
- livelihood:The word translated 'livelihood' refers to all the means by which one sustains life, including possessions and resources, not just income.