Mark 12:44 (WEB)
for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
Catechism · 1
“This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor.” — Catechism footnote: CA 57; cf. Lk 6:20-22, Mt 8:20; Mk 12:41-44.
Fathers and councils · 11
Augustine of Hippo
“…of stature,” but mighty in works; as it is written of that widow who cast two mites into the treasury, little was the money, but great was her charity; thus also this Psalm, if thou count the words, is short; if thou weigh the sentiments, is great.…Let the Spirit of God speak, let It speak to us, let It sing…” — editor's note: Mark xii. 42, 44.
Read the whole commentChapter LXXVI.—Of the Harmony in Respect of the Order of Narration Subsisting Between Matthew and the Other Two Evangelists in the Accounts Given of the Occasion on Which He Foretold the Destruction of the Temple.…
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John Chrysostom
“For Almsgiving is that of the Widow who emptied out “all her living.” ( Mark xii. 44.)” — the author cites it
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Jerome
“The widow cast but two brass coins into the treasury and yet she shall be preferred before Crœsus with all his wealth.” — editor's note: Mark xii. 41–44.
Read the whole comment“The poor widow did but cast two mites into the treasury; yet because she cast in all that she had it is said of her that she surpassed all the rich in offering gifts to God.” — editor's note: Mark xii. 43, 44.
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Catena Aurea on Mark
- BedeCatena Aurea on Mark
The Lord, who had warned them to avoid the desire of high place and vain glory, now distinguishes by a sure test those who brought in gifts. Wherefore it is said, “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Mark
Now there was a praiseworthy custom amongst the Jews, that those who were able and willing should put something into the treasury, for the maintenance of the priests, the poor, and the widows. Wherefore there is…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Mark
Reckoners use the words “quadrans” for the fourth part of any thing, be it place, money, or time. Perhaps then in this place is meant the fourth part of a shekel, this is, five pence. It goes on: “And He called unto…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Mark
But in a mystical sense, they are rich, who bring forth from the treasure of their heart things new and old, which are the obscure and hidden things of Divine wisdom in both testaments; but who is the poor woman, if…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Mark
Or else; that widow is the soul of man, which leaving Satan to which it had been joined, casts into the temple two mites, that is, the flesh and the mind, the flesh by abstinence, the mind by humility, that so it may…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Mark
Again, in an allegorical way, the rich men, who cast gifts into the treasury, point out the Jews puffed up with the righteousness of the law; the poor widow is the simplicity of the Church: poor indeed, because she…
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Cross-references · 9
Parallel passages
Mark 12:44 and Luke 21:4 share the same wording (13 words).
Cited together with
Cited together in Catechism §2444.
Cited together in Catechism §2444.
Cited together in Catechism §2444.
Cited together in Bede on Mark 12:41–44 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Catechism §2444.
Cited together in Bede on Mark 12:41–44 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Jerome on Mark 12:41–44 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Catechism §2444.