After a tiring time dealing with His opponents, Jesus sat down in the temple. But notice where He sat—in front of the offering box (v. 41)! Imagine Jesus doing this in church today.

There were 13 trumpet-shaped metal receptacles (Shopharoth) present for people to deposit their temple offerings. Coins tossed inside (there was no paper money yet) would make quite a bit of noise, attracting attention, especially if a rich man unloaded a large bag of them just to impress others. The Greek text indicates that Jesus closely observed what was going on, for there were “many rich people [who] threw in large amounts” (v. 41).

Jesus then drew attention to a poor widow who “put in two very small copper coins” (v. 42). This was a meagre sum. Naturally, no one had taken any notice of her—except Jesus, who was impressed. He declared that the widow had given more than all the rest, more than all of their gifts combined! Imagine a huge pile of offerings pushing down one end of a balance scale, only to be outweighed by two tiny coins! This suggests that heaven keeps its ledgers differently from the world. As American theologian William Hendriksen puts it, in Jesus’ estimate, “the two copper coins were sparkling diamonds”.⁹

Widows at the time were nobodies and had no social security. This woman probably had to beg on the street for the coins. She could have kept at least one of the coins for herself, but she gave both coins to God, abandoning herself into His hands.

This woman’s gift became the best- known offering to God in church history—it was an insignificant amount in the eyes of the world, and yet in God’s sight it was a most remarkable gift. She had given “everything—all she had to live on” (v. 44). With no resources, she had flung herself on God’s mercy. She gave to express her faith in God, her love for Him, and her commitment to Him. She would rather offer herself to God and die, than cling on to a couple of coins and try to survive on her own.

⁹ _{William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary: Mark (Edinburg: Banner of Truth Trust, 1975).}