Mark 12:42

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

A poor widow came and threw in two small copper coins [Note: These two coins each amounted to about ten minutes’ worth of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $1.50 in 2005]. The total she gave was equivalent to a larger coin [i.e., worth twice as much].

Cross References

Matthew 10:42

Truly I tell you, whoever gives a mere drink of cold water to one of these least significant [disciples of mine] because he is a disciple, will certainly not lose his [temporal or eternal] reward.”

Matthew 5:26

It is true when I say to you; you will not be released from there until you have paid the last coin. [Note: The coin mentioned here amounted to about ten minutes’ worth of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $1.50 in 2005].

Mark 12:41

Then Jesus sat down over near the [Temple] treasury and watched how the crowd was throwing money into the treasury [Note: This “treasury” was a large open-mouthed container used for receiving offerings for meeting expenses of Temple upkeep]. Many rich people were throwing in lots of money.

Mark 12:43

Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has thrown in more than all the rest who are throwing [money] into the treasury.

Luke 12:59

I tell you, you will not be released from there until you have paid the last coin [Note: This coin amounted to about five minutes of a farm laborer’s pay, or about seventy-five cents in 2005].”

Luke 21:2

And He saw a certain poor widow throwing two small copper coins into it [Note: These two coins amounted to about ten minutes of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $1.50 in 2005].

2 Corinthians 8:12

For if the eagerness is there, [then] whatever a person has [to give] is acceptable, and not what he does not have.

2 Corinthians 8:2

[It is] how, in spite of their suffering severe trials, their overflowing joy and extreme poverty produced an overwhelming expression of generosity.