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Mark 12:41

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 12:41 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Mark 12:41 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
38And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces,
39and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts:
40they that devour widows` houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.
41And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury:
44for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, [even] all her living.
← Mark 12:40Mark 12:42 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, etc..] the Arabic version reads, “at the door of the treasury”; the place where the chests stood, into which money was put for various uses: there were thirteen chests in the temple f222; six of them were, hbdnl, for voluntary oblations, or freewill offerings; for what remained of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the turtles; for those that had fluxes, and for new mothers; and of the sacrifices of the Nazarite, and of the trespass offering for the leper; and the last was for a freewill offering in general; and into one of these chests, or all them, was the money cast, afterwards spoken of. The Ethiopic version renders it, “over…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Sat over against - Opposite to, in full sight of. The treasury - This was in the court of the women. See the notes at Matthew 21:12. In that court there were fixed a number of places or coffers, made with a large open mouth in the shape of a trumpet, for the purpose of receiving the offerings of the people; and the money thus contributed was devoted to the service of the temple - to incense, sacrifices, etc. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“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. Luk 21:1. Mark 12:43”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:41-44 This account of a poor widow highlights the contrast between the falsely pious religious leaders (12:38-40) and those who truly love God. The emphasis of the passage falls on Jesus’ pronouncement, I tell you the truth, in which the widow is described as having given more than the rich. 12:41-42 The word translated collection box can refer to a building within the Temple compound in which Temple money was stored, but here it refers to one of thirteen money chests into which gifts were placed. As Jesus watched, many rich people put in large sums. Then he noticed a poor widow put in two small coins. (The use of the Roman term quadrans supports the view that Mark wrote his Gospel for…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sat: Mat 27:6; Luk 21:2-4; Joh 8:20 money: A piece of brass money, see Mat 10:9. the treasury: Kg2 12:9 Mark 12:42”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification