Mk 12:38-44
[or 12:41-44]
The denunciation of the scribes and the narrative about the poor widow’s contribution to the Temple treasury bring to a conclusion a series of debates between Jesus and various opponents. These two sections of Mark’s Gospel also precede Jesus’ eschatological discourse, sometimes referred to as the little apocalypse (13:1-37).
The denunciation of the scribes echoes a Marcan theme, which concerns appropriate behavior for Christians. Jesus tells the disciples to beware of the scribes who love to display their religion and bask in the honor it brings while taking advantage of widows. The behavior of the scribes is inappropriate for a member of Mark’s community. The clothes they wear, the way they act, the honor they seek is not in line with the dependence on God that characterizes an authentic follower of Jesus. Christians who imitate the scribes, Mark is warning, “will receive a very severe condemnation” (v 40).
The widow represents dependence upon God. Mark sets the stage with Jesus sitting down opposite the treasury and observing “how the crowd put money into the treasury” (v 41).
While many rich people put in large sums, a poor widow comes to drop two small coins worth a few cents. A widow, a woman without a husband, in the ancient world was one who had lost her source of livelihood; she stood as an example of powerlessness. The widow in this story is so powerless that all she has are two copper coins, an insignificant amount.
However, using hyperbolic language, Jesus declares that the poor widow has put in more than all the others because while they gave from their surplus wealth, she contributed all she had.
The widow is held up as an example of a true follower of Jesus. She, who was dependent, is even more dependent after she gives away the only two coins she had. Dependency and powerlessness are characteristics of authentic followers of Jesus, according to Mark. She stands in stark contrast to the self-sufficient scribes.