Mark 12:43 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.

NIV: Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

NASB: Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, 'Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;

CSB: Summoning his disciples, he said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

NLT: Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.

KJV: And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

NKJV: So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;

Jesus and the disciples are in the temple courtyard. Jerusalem is filled with visitors as it is only a few days before Passover. In the courtyard, priests, city elders, legal scribes, legalistic Pharisees, and literal-minded Sadducees have come to see and be seen. They all have ideas about what it means to be righteous before God and which parts of the Mosaic law are most important. But they all agree that power, influence, and authority in their chosen milieus are essential to their well-being.

For most, that includes letting it be known that they have wealth and that they give significantly to the treasury for the upkeep of the temple. The temple is designed and built to be the place where God meets with the high priest once a year and accepts the offerings of the people. Its meaning had grown, by the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, to be a symbol of Israel and the Jewish people. It was the equivalent of the modern Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, or Big Ben. To be seen generously donating to the temple is to be known as someone who keeps Israel together.

When Jesus indicates that the widow gave "more," He isn't necessarily referring to the percentage of her assets, although that's part of it. It's the attitude with which she gives. This attitude is also seen in the chief tax collector Zacchaeus who, when shown encouragement by Jesus, joyfully accepts Him and proves it by promptly giving half his goods to the poor and recompensing his victims fourfold (Luke 19:1–10). No doubt, such generosity doesn't place Zacchaeus in the same impoverished tax-bracket as the widow, but his attitude is the same. Compare Ananias and Sapphira who donate money to the church, but do so only to gain recognition (Acts 5:1–11).

Mark 12:41–44 relates an event also found in Luke 21:1–4. Jesus has spent much of the week arguing with men who often misinterpret Scripture for personal gain. He has spent much of His ministry teaching the disciples that to truly follow Him they must be humble (Mark 9:33–37; 10:35–45). Jesus' public ministry is finished. From now until the arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, He will teach the disciples and spend time with friends (Mark 14:3–9). But before He leaves the temple courtyard, Jesus points out one person who understands what it means to faithfully follow God.

This chapter contains lessons taught by Jesus in various circumstances. He explains the eventual destruction of traditional Judaism, the relationship between secular and sacred obligations, the nature of the resurrection, and the most important of God's commandments. Jesus also expounds on Messianic statements in the Old Testament. Jesus also condemns the glory-seeking shallowness of the scribes, and extolls the virtues of sincere, faith-based giving.

Days before, Jesus has entered Jerusalem, hailed as a hero by the people (Mark 11:1–11). While teaching in the temple courtyard, Jesus shows superior understanding of Scripture over the chief priests, scribes, and elders (Mark 12:27–33), the Pharisees and Herodians (Mark 12:13), the Sadducees (Mark 12:18), and the scribes again (Mark 12:35, 38). Sadly, even in the instance where a scribe does understand Scripture, that is no guarantee he will follow it to its logical conclusion: Jesus (Mark 12:28–34). In contrast, a humble widow exemplifies the faithfulness and piety the leaders lack (Mark 12:41–44). Jesus leaves the temple for the last time to teach the disciples on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13). In Mark 14, He prepares for the crucifixion.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.