Mark 12:42 Meaning and Explanation
“And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A poor widow comes and puts in two mites, which together make a farthing.
What Does Mark 12:42 Mean?
Into the procession of large gifts comes a poor widow with two of the smallest copper coins in circulation; Mark converts the sum for his readers so they cannot miss how little it is. She gives both.
She had two coins; she could have kept one. That quiet arithmetic is the glory of the verse: half was hers to hold back, and she held back nothing. No one in the court noticed, but heaven did. After Jesus' words about devoured widows' houses, here stands a widow whom the system has left poor -- still loving God with all she has, a living answer to the great commandment taught moments before.
Mark 12:42 in the Original Language
lepton (λεπτόν), 'mite' -- the smallest copper coin then in circulation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 12:42
What does Mark 12:42 mean?
A poor widow comes and puts in two mites, which together make a farthing.