A Widow Gives Everything that She Has

Twenty-first Sunday of Pentecost

Mark 12: 38 - 44

Matthew 23: 1 -36

Luke 20: 45 - 47

Luke 21: 1-4

When Jesus saw the widow approach the offering box in the Temple, he probably recognized her by her clothing. Widows dressed differently from wives and single women in those days.

Many occupations were closed to her as a widow, and unless she were quite wealthy, she would probably have had no opportunity to remarry. She may have been totally dependent on the charity of her relatives to survive.

Not only did she give all the money she had to the Temple, she may have had no opportunity of earning more.

A mite was the smallest Greek coin, while a farthing was the smallest Roman coin, just as the penny is the smallest American coin.

This story takes place when Jesus was teaching in the Temple in Jerusalem in the days of Holy Week before his trial and crucifixion.

Jesus begins this passage by cautioning his followers against the scribes. Many scholars believe that Jesus himself may have been a scribe, a teacher of the law of Moses.

1. Where was Jesus sitting?

[Jesus was sitting in the Temple near the offering box.]

2. What was Jesus doing?

[Jesus was watching people put their gifts in the offering.]

3. Who gave the most money?

[The rich people gave the most money.]

4. What did the widow give?

[The widow gave two of the smallest coins.]

5. What did Jesus say about her giving?

[Jesus said, "I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others."]