MITECOMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 135
“ Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 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: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:41-44; Lk 21:1-4)
JESUS THE OBSERVER
INTRODUCTION
What did Jesus do when He was not teaching – particularly as He approached the time when He would lay down His life, a ransom for many. We know that at the very last He spent time with His disciples, and in earnest prayer. But what of now – just a few days from that time? What will He do if no one has asked Him a question, or He has concluded some discourse? We may be sure, whatever He does, it will be in strict accord with the Divine nature. During such times, we are being exposed to the fulness of the Godhead bodily, so we do well to take note of what He does, as well as what he says. The Lord Jesus never conducted Himself with a disregard for who He was – the One who “came down from heaven” (John 3:13),When He dwelt among men, taking upon Himself “the likeness of sinful flesh” (Rom 8:3), He laid aside the prerogatives of Deity, humbling and emptying Himself (Phil 2:7). However, His character remained the same, and He always did the things that pleased God (John 8:29). Therefore, when we read of incidents like the one before us, we are being exposed to the Divine mind. When we are exposed to Christ’s reactions, as well as His actions, we are being exposed to Deity, not mere humanity. Jesus did not empty Himself of Deity, but of the right to employ Deity in the salvation of men. That is, He was a Savior who Himself depended upon God. This is an important distinction to discern.
JESUS BEHOLDS HOW THE PEOPLE GIVE
“ Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.”
During the time of our text, Jesus has done a number of things in the Temple – His Father’s house. He has cleansed it of merchandisers, and those who bought their goods (Mk 11:15). He would not allow anyone to carry a vessel through the Temple (Mk 11:16). He told the people why He had driven out the merchants (Mk 11:17). He answered the chief priests, scribes, and elders who had questioned His authority (Mk 11:27-33). He spoke to the people in parables concerning His own rejection by the leaders (Mk 12:1-11). He answered a question about paying tribute to Caesar, taking occasion to tell the people to give God what bears His image (Mk 11:14-17). He confronted the scribes who tempted Him by asking a foolish question concerning a woman married to seven husbands, and whose husband would be her’s in the resurrection (Mk 12:18-27). He answered another scribe who asked Him to identify the greatest commandment of all (Mk 12:28-34). As He taught, Jesus instigated a dialog concerning Christ being “the son of David” (Mk 12:35-37). He issued a warning about the scribes, telling the people to beware of them (Mk 12:38-40).
Thus far, the conduct of Jesus is clearly focused. The one time men attempted to pull Him aside into the political arena, He brought the focus back to man and God. When some tempted Him to meet them in the arena of philosophy, He promptly brought the focus back to the Scriptures and the necessity of discerning them. Keep in mind, we are being exposed to the manner in which Divine life thinks and acts when in a human body. In nearly every congregation of Christians with which I am familiar, this kind of conduct would be considered radical and impractical, putting one out of touch with the people.
JESUS SAT OVER AGAINST THE TREASURY. The text does not say that Jesus was weary, but that may very well have been the case. He had been walking and teaching in the Temple complex for some time. Now He sits down, His enemies shrinking back because they have been stymied by His answers, public rebukes, and warnings that the people beware of them. Where will Jesus sit down? One might imagine that He would leave the Temple, but He did not. Instead, he sat down “over against the treasury.” That is, Jesus sat opposite, or across from, the treasury, or collection box. This is where the One in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelt bodily chose to sit!
The “treasury” was a repository for receiving gifts to the Temple ministry – a contribution box GINGRICH or chest for offerings. FRIBERG Jewish history says there were thirteen of these chests in the Temple. GILL Of old time, the Temple had a treasure house, where various gifts and tithes were brought (Neh 10:38-39). Malachi also mentioned the bringing of tithes into the storehouse (Mal 3:10). All of this was based on the support system of the Tabernacle. There, a special coin – “the shekel of the sanctuary” – was given for the support of the priests and Tabernacle service (Ex 30:13; Lev 27:3; Num 3:47). There were also tithes of crops for the support of the priests and animals for sacrifice and the priests. That is where the concept of the support of the work of the Lord by His people began. Paul alludes to it in First Corinthians, affirming that the principle carries over to the support of the Gospel (1 Cor 9:13-14).
HE BEHELD HOW THEY GAVE. Other versions read, “observing how,” NASB “watched how,” GWN and “watching the way.” IE And what was He watching, observing, or beholding? It was “how they gave.” Some people have never been introduced to a Jesus like this – but this is the real Christ! In an assembly where they pass the collection plate, consider that Jesus is walking along with the deacon, watching how people put their money into the plate. If a container for personal contributions is placed in a certain area, consider Jesus as standing there, watching how people put their offerings into it. This is not a speculation. This is what Jesus actually did, and it has been written in order that we might know it.
Jesus was not merely beholding external manners – although He did do that. Jesus mentioned some who gave in the synagogues, who actually sounded a trumpet before doing so in order that they might gain the attention of the people (Matt 6:2). However, more was involved in His beholding than that. He also beheld the heart – whether this was an act of thanksgiving, or one of reluctance and legal obligation. He beheld whether this was a “cheerful giver,” or one who gave “grudgingly” (2 Cor 9:7). Jesus still beholds such manners.
MANY THAT WERE RICH. Not all that were rich, but many of them, “cast in much,” putting in “large sums.” NASB Jesus knew they were rich. He also knew how much they gave, and why they gave it. Of course, as Jesus will point out, heaven does not give special recognition to rich men who give a lot to the Lord. They are expected to give a lot, because they have a lot. For some people, that is simply too personal – yet this is still the way Jesus is. The mere recollection of this will have a powerful impact upon every honest and good heart. Keep in mind that this is happening while Jesus approaches the hour of His death.
A POOR WIDOW WHO GAVE MORE THAN EVERYONE ELSE
“ 38b And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 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.”
How perceptive is Christ? When He is in a public gathering, what does He see? What captures His attention? If men are in a religious setting, they generally look for the leaders, or some other prominent figure. If their minds are not matter at hand, they might look for their friends, or for novel sights. In an entertainment or sports setting, people will look for the featured entertainer or favorite athlete. What will Jesus behold? He is in the Temple – Herod’s Temple – which was itself a most impressive and imposing complex, with courts, towers, buildings, etc. Will all of this impress the Lord? Where will His discerning eyes be focused? Remember, this is the Son of God, and His death is fast approaching. What will HE see!
MITEA CERTAIN POOR WIDOW. Even though the Lord, who knows all things, knew her name, she remains nameless in the record. If this was not the case, some religious bodies would have made an official church saint of her and regarded her after the flesh. So her name is withheld. What we do know about her is that she was not merely one of a cluster of widows from the local community. She was a “certain” widow – in this matter distinct from all of the others. There can, then, be noble distinctions among a group of people who are not themselves noticeable. She was a “widow,” which means that she was once married, but her husband had died. Yet, even though deprived of her husband, she continued to serve and honor the Lord alone. Additionally, we also know that she was a “poor” widow, with very limited resources. While poverty has driven some people away from the Lord, and even moved them to steal, this “poor widow” was giving honor to the Lord – coming to the Temple, and then giving when she got there. If we knew nothing more of her than this, she already stands heads and shoulders above many professing Christians. This is the person who caught the lingering eye of the Savior.
SHE THREW IN TWO MITES. Luke says that Jesus saw the widow “casting in thither two mites” (Lk 21:1) – that is, He saw her in the process of doing so. Jesus did not take note of how much the rich gave – only that they gave a lot. But in this case, He noted the exact amount of her offering! This is not how men would respond. They would make a special note of the large gifts, and consider the small one anonymous. In fact, it is not unusual for special awards to be given to those who contribute the most. That is the manner of the world. It ought not to be the manner of any body of people claiming allegiance to the Lord Jesus of our text.
“Two mites,” we are told, “make a farthing.” Thus she put the equivalent of “one farthing” into the treasury. Finding no precise English equivalent for this expression, some versions read, “two mites, which make a quadrana,” NKJV “two small copper coins, which to amount to a cent,” NASB and “two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.” NIV By modern estimation, a “mite” would be the equivalent of 1/5 cent, and two of them 2/5 of a penny. Round figures estimate “two mites” as a third of a penny. However you look at it, this was an extremely small amount of money, and would be considered unworthy of notice by anyone else.
HE CALLED HIS DISCIPLES. Notice that the disciples did not sit next to the treasury with Jesus. Perhaps they were discussing what they had heard Jesus say. Now, however, Jesus has seen something He wants them to see also, so He calls His disciples to Him – that is how He summons them, with a “call.” Of course, that assumes that whatever the disciples were doing, they were still alert for the call of the Master. Many a poor soul has never mastered the art of being alert for the call of Jesus, even though in a practical way, they are, in a sense, separate from Him. The disciples were, however, still in the Temple – and that is the secret to alertness, being in a place and about activities that are devoted to the Lord.
THIS POOR WIDOW GAVE MORE. This is not a word any economist or financial advisor would have said. Nor, indeed, would any Christian institution of which I am aware, make such an observation. In this word we are not being exposed to mere oratory, or some form of hyperbole or exaggeration. This a precise statement of the case from heaven’s point of view, which IS the proper view: She had “put in more than all those contributing to the treasury.” AMPLIFIED In what sense had she given “more”? It was in the sense in which giving is evaluated by God. Giving is measured by what is left, not what is contributed! It is determined by proportion, not by amount! This is the precise point Paul makes in his second epistle to the Corinthians: “it is acceptable and welcomed in proportion to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” AMPLIFIED (2 Cor 8:12). Men will reason that an institution cannot be built with such gifts. Of course, God is not building institutions, so that is of no concern to Him. There was also a Temple to be maintained in the time of our text. Notwithstanding, the Divine assessment of this widow’s gift was, “more . . . than they all.”
JESUS MEASURES WHAT IS GIVEN
“ 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
In a few short words, Jesus evaluates the gifts of both the rich and the poor. This is a Divine assessment, for even though Jesus was tempted as a man, He spoke as the Lord. Even though He suffered as a man, His words were the words of God. Even though He humbled Himself becoming as a servant, His words would never pass away. I do not believe this reality has dawned on many souls. It appears that they find it too easy to ignore the words of Jesus, and sometimes even to twist them to blend with their own ideas. Further, the fact that Jesus said these words to His disciples confirms that this is something His followers are to know. Their lives are to be lived in an awareness of this observation. It will assist in liberating them from covetousness and fleshly approaches to giving to the Lord.
OF THEIR ABUNDANCE. “The rich” gave a lot because they had a lot – “of their abundance.” It is not that this was wrong, it is just that it was unimpressive. It was something that was expected of them, for it was God who gave them “power to get wealth” (Deut 8:18). The Scriptures teach us that those with much are to know how to handle it. They are “not to be highminded,” or conceited and haughty, “or trust in uncertain riches.” They are rather to trust “in the living God,” “do good” with their resources, “be rich in good works,” ready and willing to “distribute,” and to “communicate” or share their resources (1 Tim 6:17-18). Such souls will be honored by God, just as surely as this poor widow.
But that is not the kind of rich people Jesus has been observing. His wording suggests that the only reason they gave was that they had much, and therefore it was no disadvantage for them to put “much” into the treasury. In fact, other versions read they gave “out of their surplus” NASB “what they had no need of,” BBE and “what they could spare.” GWN They made sure they still had an abundance left. What does a person or family do when they have a lot of extra funds – more than they need? Do they squander it on luxuries, or things that they do not need? All people have to determine this for themselves. But they must do so while being aware that Jesus is observing them, and taking due note of what they do.
Those rich men did not give out of a thankful heart, or with any degree of sacrifice. They were not thinking about the Lord, the Temple, or the ordained activities that went on there, and those who did them. Of course, in the Christian environment in which we are living, these men would receive special attention, and the precise amount of their giving would be duly noted. Perhaps they would receive a special award for being the premier givers, and the ones upon whom the work of the Lord depended. Under such circumstances, Jesus, at the best, would only receive what the world refers to as “honorable mention.” You can decide for yourself how that kind of attitude will be assessed on the day of judgment.
OF HER WANT. While those who were rich have their gifts out of their abundance, this poor widow gave hers “of her want.” That is, “out of her poverty,” NKJV “poor as she is,” NLT “of her destitution,”DARBY or “out of her deep poverty.” AMPLIFIED An accountant would have advised her that she could not afford to give to the Temple. A counselor might have told her that God did not expect an impoverished widow to give. A language expert might have told her that nothing in the Greek suggested that a person in her financial situation was under any obligation to give to God. However, this woman was not looking for a reason not to give, but showed that she had found a reason to give. She realized that what little she had was given to her by God, and she knew He could be trusted to give her daily bread. She was persuaded the Lord knew she had “need” of food, shelter, and clothing. The rich men probably knew that also – at least in a creedal way. But this woman was willing to trust the Lord, and to stifle any tendency to lust after other things. She not only gave, she made a trip to the Temple to do so. When she reached into her purse, there simply was not much there. In fact, Jesus will tell us how much was there, and what she did with it.
ALL THAT SHE HAD. How poor was “poor”? Precisely what was the level of “poverty” in which this woman found herself? When she reached into a bag, there were ONLY two mites in it. Thus, Jesus said, “she cast in all that she had.,” or “all she owned.” NASB Was it that she had some extra funds at home, and these two mites were simply all that she had with her at the time? Indeed not! Jesus says this was “even all her living,” “her whole livelihood,” NKJV or “all she had to live on.” NIV In other words, this woman went home with nothing. Like the widow that was commanded to sustain Elijah, she had to depend on the Lord for her next meal. Jesus took note of this circumstance, and stated the truth of the matter – that she had out-given all the others. I do not doubt that she found some provisions when she returned home.
The purpose of this text is not to teach people to give everything they have and live day-by-day. Rather, it is to show them that they should know how to handle what they do have, how to correctly honor the Lord, and that living by faith is always seen and honored by God.