Mark 12:38-44
Amplified Bible
38 In [the course of] His teaching He was saying, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and like to receive respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and [they love] the [a]chief seats in the synagogues and the places of distinction and honor at banquets, 40 [these scribes] who devour (confiscate) widows’ houses, and offer long prayers for appearance’s sake [to impress others]. These men will receive greater condemnation.”
The Widow’s Mite
41 And He sat down opposite the [temple] treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the [b]treasury. And many rich people were putting in [c]large sums.(A) 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a [d]mite. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this poor widow put in [proportionally] more than all the contributors to the treasury. 44 For they all contributed from their surplus, but she, from her poverty, put in all she had, all she had to live on.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Mark 12:39 These seats were located near the scrolls of the Law, facing the congregation in the synagogue.
- Mark 12:41 Thirteen trumpet-shaped chests were placed around the wall in the Court of Women in the temple.
- Mark 12:41 The thirteen receptacles for the money were metal and the heavy silver coins contributed by the wealthy would have made quite a noise when they were deposited, calling audible attention to the size of each contribution. By contrast, the widow’s coins (v 42) would have barely made a sound.
- Mark 12:42 The least valuable Roman coin, which amounted to only one sixty-fourth of a day’s wages for a laborer; traditionally called the “widow’s mite.”
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