Devine Scripture

Mark 12:41

What does Mark 12:41 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:41 means

Jesus then positions Himself opposite the temple treasury, observing people as they contributed their offerings. This act of quiet observation highlights His attention to the heart and motivation behind giving, not just the amount. Many wealthy individuals cast in large sums of money, fulfilling their religious duty publicly. This scene sets the backdrop for a powerful spiritual lesson, as Jesus assesses true generosity, not by worldly standards of quantity, but by the deeper principles of sacrifice and devotion, as evidenced by one anonymous poor woman.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he took a seat by the place where the money was kept, and saw how the people put money into the boxes: and a number who had wealth put in much.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus having sat down over-against the treasury, was beholding how the multitude do put brass into the treasury, and many rich were putting in much,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury. And many that were rich cast in much.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus, having sat down opposite the treasury, saw how the crowd was casting money into the treasury; and many rich cast in much.

Context

This verse shifts the scene to Jesus observing the temple treasury, immediately following His strong warning against the hypocritical scribes. It sets the stage for a powerful illustration of true giving. The initial description of many rich people casting in much money creates a common expectation, which will be powerfully contrasted by the example of the poor widow in the verses that follow, highlighting the spiritual principle Jesus intends to teach.

v.40they that devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.

v.41This passage

v.42And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 8:20

    These words spake he in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man took him; because his hour was not yet come.

  • 2 Kings 12:9

    But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of Jehovah: and the priests that kept the threshold put therein all the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah.

  • Matthew 27:6

    And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.

  • Luke 21:1

    And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury.

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