Devine Scripture

Mark 12:43

What does Mark 12:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 12:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 12:43 means

Jesus calls His disciples to His side, drawing their attention to the poor widow and her offering. He then makes a startling declaration: \"Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury.\" This statement challenges conventional wisdom and worldly metrics of value. Jesus does not measure generosity by the quantity given, but by the proportion of the giver's resources and the heart behind the offering. Her \"more\" referred to the sacrificial nature of her gift.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he made his disciples come to him, and said to them, Truly I say to you, This poor widow has put in more than all those who are putting money into the box:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having called near his disciples, he saith to them, `Verily I say to you, that this poor widow hath put in more than all those putting into the treasury;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having called his disciples to [him] he said to them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow has cast in more than all who have cast into the treasury:

Context

This verse contains Jesus’s profound and counter-intuitive declaration about the widow's offering, made directly to His disciples whom He purposefully calls over. It immediately follows the physical act of the widow placing her two mites into the treasury. This startling pronouncement provides the spiritual interpretation of her act, clarifying its true significance and setting the stage for the crucial explanation of *why* her small gift was greater than all the others.

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

v.43This passage

v.44for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 8:12

    For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not.

  • Exodus 35:21

    And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, andbrought Jehovah’s offering, for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all the service thereof, and for the holy garments.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6

    But thisI say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

  • Matthew 10:42

    And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.

  • Acts 11:29

    And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judæa:

  • 2 Corinthians 8:2

    how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

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