Devine Scripture

Mark 12:42

What does Mark 12:42 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:42 means

Into this scene of public offerings, a poor widow approaches and casts in two small copper coins, called mites, which together amounted to only a quadrans, the smallest Roman coin. Her offering was minuscule in monetary value, almost worthless in the eyes of the world. However, her poverty and the smallness of her contribution are precisely what make her act significant in Jesus’s eyes, setting her offering apart from the grand displays of the wealthy, and preparing the disciples for a profound lesson on true generosity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there came a poor widow, and she put in two little bits of money, which make a farthing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having come, a poor widow did put in two mites, which are a farthing.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a poor widow came and cast in two mites, which is a farthing.

Context

This verse introduces the pivotal character, the poor widow, whose small offering dramatically contrasts with the large sums given by the rich, which Jesus has just observed. It immediately precedes Jesus’s revolutionary assessment of her gift. This humble act of giving, seemingly insignificant, becomes the focal point for Jesus’s teaching, showcasing a profound spiritual truth about true generosity that defies worldly measures and provides a powerful counterpoint to the scribes' greed.

v.41And 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.

v.42This passage

v.43And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury:

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