THE WIDOW WITH TWO COINS

The story of the Widow with Two Coins, also known as the story of the Widow's Mite, can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospels of Mark and Luke.

In the Gospel of Mark, the story is located in Mark 12:41-44. In this passage, Jesus is sitting opposite the treasury in the Temple of Jerusalem, observing the crowd as they put money into the collection boxes. Many wealthy people are seen donating large amounts. However, a poor widow approaches and places two small copper coins, known as mites, into the treasury. Jesus calls his disciples to him and highlights the widow’s action, explaining that she has given more than all the others. While the rich contributed from their abundance, she gave everything she had to live on, demonstrating her profound faith and generosity.

Similarly, the Gospel of Luke also recounts this story in Luke 21:1-4. The narrative follows the same general sequence: Jesus observes the contributions of the rich versus the sacrifice of the poor widow, and he underscores the widow’s offering as the most meaningful because it was given out of her poverty, not surplus.

This story is often interpreted as an illustration of true generosity, faith, and the value of sacrifice. It emphasizes the idea that the spirit in which a gift is given is more important than the amount. The widow’s act of giving becomes a timeless lesson in selflessness and trust in divine providence, marking her as a memorable figure in the biblical narrative.