Mark 12:42 — Community Reflections

MARK 12:42 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

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

But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents — the poor widow's offering is introduced in sharp contrast to the many rich people. Two very small copper coins (two lepta) — the lepton was the smallest coin in circulation, a fraction of a denarius. The two coins together were worth a kodrantes (quadrans), the smallest Roman coin. The monetary value is as small as possible while still being a real offering.

Church Fathers on Mark 12:42

The Lord, who had warned them to avoid the desire of high place and vain glory, now distinguishes by a sure test those who brought in gifts.
Bede · 8th century

Now there was a praiseworthy custom amongst the Jews, that those who were able and willing should put something into the treasury, for the maintenance of the priests, the poor, and the widows.
Theophylact · 11th century

But in a mystical sense, they are rich, who bring forth from the treasure of their heart things new and old, which are the obscure and hidden things of Divine wisdom in both testaments; but who is the poor woman, if it be not I and those like me, who cast in what I can, and have the will to explain to you, where I have, not the power. For God does not consider how much ye bear, but what is the store from which it comes; but each at all events can bring his farthing, that is,…
Pseudo-Jerome · 5th century

Read all 6 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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