God accepts alms, if they are corresponding to each one's abilities; and the more able a man is, the more must he bestow in charities. The widow's mite was very acceptable to God, and very meritorious to herself; because though small the offering considered in itself, it was great considering her extreme indigence. read more
But she, of her want, [2] or indigence, out of what she wanted to subsist by, as appeareth by the Greek. (Witham) =============================== [BIBLIOGRAPHY] De penuria sua, Greek: ek tes ustereseos. See the same Greek word, 1 Corinthians xvi. 17; 2 Corinthians ix. 12, and Chap. xi. 9. &c. ==================== read more
41-44 Let us not forget that Jesus still sees the treasury. He knows how much, and from what motives, men give to his cause. He looks at the heart, and what our views are, in giving alms; and whether we do it as unto the Lord, or only to be seen of men. It is so rare to find any who would not blame this widow, that we cannot expect to find many who will do like to her; and yet our Saviour commends her, therefore we are sure that she did well and wisely. The feeble efforts of the poor to honour... read more
Mark 12 AS WE CLOSED Mark 11.0 we heard the leaders of the Jews plead ignorance. Whether John’s baptism was from heaven or of men they could not tell, and much less could they understand the work and service of the Lord. We open this chapter to see it plainly demonstrated that He perfectly knew and understood them. He knew their motives, their thoughts and the end to which they were heading. He revealed His knowledge of them in a striking parable. The first verse speaks of “parables,” and... read more
The Widow's Mite. Mark 12:41-Acts : . v. 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. v. 42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. v. 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; v. 44. for all they did cast in of... read more
8. The Widow’s Mite, and our Lord’s view of the Piety and Good Works of the Jews. Mark 12:41-44(Parallel: Luke 21:1-4)41 And Jesus23 sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43And 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... read more
the First Commandment Mark 12:28-44 To the young ruler our Lord named one command as great-the love of one’s neighbor. Now, in answer to this scribe, he turned with unerring choice, first to Deuteronomy 6:4-5 , and then to Leviticus 19:18 , for the two pillars on which the collective and individual life of man must rest. The reverent answer of the scribe proves that he was no ordinary questioner; and our Lord acknowledged this when He told him that a few steps more would bring him into the... read more
In this parable of the vineyard the Lord very graphically sketched for those people their own national history, and condemned them thereby. "They perceived that He spake the parable against them." These words would seem to intimate that the rejection of the Saviour by these rulers of the people was more a sin against light than we sometimes imagine. They had a clear comprehension of what He meant, but they set their hearts and wills against Him. A coalition of religion and politics, Pharisees... read more
A GREAT GIFT‘They did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had.’ Mark 12:44 I. Who was the giver?—She was a poor widow. Sorrow more often makes people selfish. II. The gift.—Two mites. Wealth, commerce, religious custom reckoned it small; but in the judgment of God the gift was exceedingly great. III. The scene of the gift.—It was bestowed in the Temple of God; it was deposited in one of thirteen boxes in the women’s court. It is meet and right that we give... read more
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The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Mark 12:1-44
Jesus Christ's Methods of Teaching Mark 12:0 Instead of telling men their faults in so many words, Jesus Christ often set forth a parable which avoided personality, and yet vividly represented the features which he wished to correct or condemn; not only so, he drew men into a condemnation of themselves by showing their own conduct at such a distance as brought a new light upon it. The parable before us is a case in point. The people having heard the parable, "knew that he had spoken it against... read more