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Mark 12:42

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 12:42 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing.
Mark 12:42 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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 12:41Mark 12:43 →
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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 there came a certain poor widow, etc..] Among the many that came to offer their gifts freely, there came one that was particularly taken notice of by Christ; and she was a “widow”, had no husband to provide for her, and was a “poor” one; had no substance left her by her husband to support her with; very likely she was an inhabitant of Jerusalem: and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing; a “quadrant”, which was the fourth part of the Roman assis, or farthing; which seems to be much the same with the tetarthmorion of the Greeks, which is said f225 to be, “the fourth part of an obolus (the least Athenian coin), that is, two brass pieces.” These mites seem to be the same with the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Two mites - The word translated “mite” denotes a small coin made of brass - the smallest in use among the Jews. The precise value cannot now be easily estimated. It was much less than any coin we have, as the “farthing” was less than an English farthing. It was in value about three mills and a half, or one-third of a cent. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“two mites: "It is the seventh part of one piece of that brass money." Mar 12:42 Mark 12:43”
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Related study paths

Read Mark 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification