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Passion Week·Recorded in 2 of 4 Gospels

The Widow's Offering

MarkLuke

Jesus observes a poor widow putting two small coins into the temple treasury. He declares she has given more than all the others, because she gave out of her poverty.

Parallel Accounts

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

LegendShared across accountsHighlightedUnique to that Gospel
MatthewNot recorded in this Gospel
Mark
12:41-44

Could not load verse text.

Luke
21:1-4

Could not load verse text.

JohnNot recorded in this Gospel

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.

Mark and Luke tell this story almost identically, likely from the same source. Both place it after warnings about scribes who "devour widows' houses," which some scholars read as deliberate irony: the temple system Jesus just criticized is consuming this widow's livelihood. Matthew omits this episode entirely.

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Mark

Specifies the two coins as lepta (the smallest copper coins), worth about a penny.

Luke

Closely follows Mark; both contrast the widow's sacrifice with the rich giving from their abundance.

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Connected Content
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Commentary
Mark 12
Read in Bible
Mark 12:41-44
Phase in Jesus's Life
Passion Week

From the triumphal entry into Jerusalem through the crucifixion and burial of Jesus.

All pericopes
Gospel Coverage
Matthew
not recorded
Luke
21:1-4
John
not recorded