The Passion and the Resurrection · Mark 12
The Widow’s Offering
In the temple, Jesus is teaching and warns against the scribes, who love the best seats, make long prayers for show, and “devour widows’ houses.” Then he sits down across from the treasury and watches how the crowd puts money into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow comes along and drops in two small coins, “which make a farthing.” Jesus calls his disciples over: “This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 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.” Jesus does not measure a gift the way people do: what matters is not the amount but what it costs the giver. Luke records the same scene (Luke 21:1-4).
What happens
- Jesus warns against the scribes who devour widows’ houses Mark 12:38–40
- Sitting across from the treasury, he watches the crowd give Mark 12:41
- A poor widow puts in two small coins Mark 12:42
- “This poor widow hath cast more in than all they” Mark 12:43
- The others give out of their abundance, she out of her want Mark 12:44
Who is in this story
The lesson
God does not look at the amount given but at what the giver has left: true generosity is measured by sacrifice and trust. A tiny offering given with all one’s heart is worth more in Jesus’ eyes than large sums given out of one’s surplus.
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.
Quick quiz on this story
How many small coins does the poor widow put into the treasury?
“There came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” Mark 12:42
To whom does Jesus explain the meaning of the widow’s gift?
Jesus “called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, . . . this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.” Mark 12:43
What does Jesus say about the scribes and widows, just before this scene?
Jesus warns against the scribes, “which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers.” Mark 12:38–40
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