Mark 12:42 - A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
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What does "Mark 12:42" mean?
This verse from Mark 12:42 describes a moment where Jesus observes people donating to the temple treasury. Let's break down what it means:
"A poor widow came...": The woman is identified as a widow, implying she likely had little or no financial support. Widows in that society were often among the most vulnerable.
"...and she cast in two small brass coins...": She donated two "lepta" (singular: lepton), which were the smallest denomination of Jewish currency at the time. They were made of brass.
"...which equal a quadrans coin.": A "quadrans" was a Roman coin and the smallest Roman coin of value. The verse is equating the value of the two "lepta" to a single "quadrans." This comparison is important because it highlights how little the widow gave in absolute monetary terms. A quadrans was worth very little – probably the equivalent of a few minutes' wages for a laborer at the time.
In summary, the verse describes a poor widow giving a very small amount of money (two "lepta," equal to a "quadrans") to the temple treasury. The point of the passage is not the literal amount of money she gave, but the relative sacrifice she made. She gave all that she had, a larger proportion compared to the rich people who gave much more.
Significance:
This scene serves as a contrast to the behavior of the wealthy people also donating to the treasury. Jesus goes on to explain to his disciples that the widow's offering, though tiny in amount, was worth more than all the large donations of the rich. Her offering was a true sacrifice, representing all she had to live on, while the rich gave only a small portion of their abundance.
The passage illustrates the following:
God values sacrifice and devotion over the amount given. It's about the heart and intention behind the offering.
True generosity involves giving from what you lack, not from your surplus.
God sees and appreciates the offerings of those who are often overlooked by society.
This story is a powerful reminder that the value of a gift is not determined by its monetary worth, but by the giver's heart and the sacrifice involved.
Mark 12:42 - A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
What does "Mark 12:42" mean?
This verse from Mark 12:42 describes a moment where Jesus observes people donating to the temple treasury. Let's break down what it means:
"A poor widow came...": The woman is identified as a widow, implying she likely had little or no financial support. Widows in that society were often among the most vulnerable.
"...and she cast in two small brass coins...": She donated two "lepta" (singular: lepton), which were the smallest denomination of Jewish currency at the time. They were made of brass.
"...which equal a quadrans coin.": A "quadrans" was a Roman coin and the smallest Roman coin of value. The verse is equating the value of the two "lepta" to a single "quadrans." This comparison is important because it highlights how little the widow gave in absolute monetary terms. A quadrans was worth very little – probably the equivalent of a few minutes' wages for a laborer at the time.
In summary, the verse describes a poor widow giving a very small amount of money (two "lepta," equal to a "quadrans") to the temple treasury. The point of the passage is not the literal amount of money she gave, but the relative sacrifice she made. She gave all that she had, a larger proportion compared to the rich people who gave much more.
Significance:
This scene serves as a contrast to the behavior of the wealthy people also donating to the treasury. Jesus goes on to explain to his disciples that the widow's offering, though tiny in amount, was worth more than all the large donations of the rich. Her offering was a true sacrifice, representing all she had to live on, while the rich gave only a small portion of their abundance.
The passage illustrates the following:
God values sacrifice and devotion over the amount given. It's about the heart and intention behind the offering.
True generosity involves giving from what you lack, not from your surplus.
God sees and appreciates the offerings of those who are often overlooked by society.
This story is a powerful reminder that the value of a gift is not determined by its monetary worth, but by the giver's heart and the sacrifice involved.