Notes on Mark 12:41-44

Translation and Notes

These notes relate to and expand on my podcast Seeing Stewardship as God Sees It.

⁴¹And he sat down by the treasury, and he was watching how the crowd threw money into the contribution box. And many rich people threw in lots!

Treasury . . . is apparently the hall named from the chest with a trumpet-shaped tube into which were dropped coins for the support of the temple worship; this was something like a church “poor box,” as these offerings were purely voluntary, and perhaps not in very large amounts–though the rich cast in much. H. J. Holtzmann has called this “the Peter’s pence of the Jews.” — IB on Exegesis on Mark 12:41

Mar 12:41 – He beheld how people cast money into the treasury – This treasury received the voluntary contributions of the worshippers who came up to the feast; which were given to buy wood for the altar, and other necessaries not provided for in any other way. — John Wesley

This was the sort of place one would want to go for show. There was no great benefit to be gained in terms of public opinion and reputation from doing the things that were mandatory, but voluntary gifts showed off one’s generosity to the greatest effect.

There are those who hold that the issue here was proportion—that the giving that God approves is giving that involves sacrifice. I don’t agree with that. I think the issue was one of dedication. The money brought by many rich donors was not dedicated to God, but rather was dedicated to building their reputation. They were not giving to support the temple. They were investing in their temporal well-being by being seen while giving. If someone rich had stepped up and given money for the purpose because of generosity, I’m sure he would have met with approval from Jesus.

If I’m right about this, why did Jesus pick someone who gave very little, but nonetheless a gift that was very large in proportion to her income? Jesus is, as usual trying to turn our perceptions around. We tend to measure the gift against the need that it will fill. For example, a gift might be added to the money collected for a building drive. But God is the supplier of all need. He’s more interested in the spiritual state of the person giving the gift than in its size, proportional or otherwise.

The widow was a person with nothing to gain, giving a freewill gift that showed she was trusting God for her provision. She was a good example of giving.

⁴²Then one poor widow came and threw in two small copper coins about the equivalent of a penny. ⁴³And he called his disciples to him and he said to them, “Truly I tell you that this poor widow has thrown in more than all of those who have thrown money into the contribution box.

Mar 12:43 – I say to you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all – See what judgement is cast on the most specious, outward actions by the Judge of all! And how acceptable to him is the smallest, which springs from self – denying love! — John Wesley

⁴⁴For they all threw in from their abundance, but she gave everything she had from her lack, all of her living.”

I would be surprised if someone didn’t think this verse contradicted my comments on the preceding verse. But I believe that the giving of “all her living” was simply the indication of her trust in God and commitment to him. Everything she had was dedicated to God so there was nothing to be gained and nothing to be lost from this action.