THE WIDOW AND THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW

Passage: Mark 12:38-44

Key verse: 12:44

NIV

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.(A) 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

The Widow’s Offering(B)

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put(C) and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”(D)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Beware of the Scribes

38 (A)And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and (B)the places of honor at feasts, 40 (C)who devour widows' houses and (D)for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The Widow's Offering

41 (E)And he sat down opposite (F)the treasury and watched the people (G)putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two (H)small copper coins, which make a penny.[a] 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, (I)this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her (J)poverty has put in everything she had, all (K)she had to live on.”

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Mark 12:42 Greek two lepta, which make a kodrantes; a kodrantes (Latin quadrans) was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, watch out for the teachers of the law (38-40). This passage contrasts two people-the teachers of the law and a poor widow. Jesus warned his disciples to watch out for the teachers of the law. They were proud of their piety and their knowledge of the law. But their pride turned them away from God. Instead of helping people come to God, they devoured widows' houses and walked around haughtily in flowing robes. Prideful people like this will be punished most severely. Second, the poor widow gave all she had (41-44). Jesus and his disciples watched as many people put money into the temple treasury. The wealthy put in much money, but Jesus made no comment on them. Then a very poor widow put in a seemingly very insignificant offering. It was only with a fraction of a penny. Her offering could not help anyone. Jesus praised her because she gave to God all she had. This widow loved God with all her heart, soul, mind and strength. So God would commend her.

Prayer: Lord, help me to give up my pride and be like the widow. Help me to give all I have to you.

One Word: Give all I have to God