The Widow with Two Mites
Sitting opposite the temple treasury, Jesus watched the wealthy cast in large gifts - and then a poor widow dropped in two mites, the smallest coins in circulation, together worth a farthing. Calling his disciples, he declared she had given 'more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.' In two sentences Jesus overturned every human method of measuring generosity: God counts not the amount given but the sacrifice it represents and what is held back. The scene lands with extra force because Jesus had just condemned the scribes who 'devour widows' houses' - the religious system was consuming the very people whose faith exceeded it. Her two coins remain the most famous offering ever given.
Biography
- Era
- New Testament
- Nationality
- Jewish
Did You Know?
A mite (lepton) was the smallest coin in circulation in Judea - it took 128 of them to equal a single denarius, one day's wage.
Jesus's praise of the widow comes immediately after his warning about scribes who 'devour widows' houses' - the system consuming her was condemned in the same breath her gift was honored.
This scene is Jesus's last recorded observation inside the temple in Mark's Gospel - his final temple lesson was a poor widow's offering.
Key Chapters
Key Passages
The Widow's Offering
Mark 12:41-44
Heaven's accounting is unveiled in a single observation: the smallest gift in the treasury was the largest, because it was everything she had.
41nd Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.