Topical Bible: Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Farthing

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "farthing" is used in the Bible to refer to a small coin of minimal value, illustrating the concept of insignificance in monetary terms. The farthing is mentioned in the context of the New Testament, specifically in the teachings of Jesus, to convey lessons about value, sacrifice, and divine perspective.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 5:26 : "Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." In this passage, the term "farthing" is often translated as "penny" in various Bible versions, but it refers to a small Roman coin known as the quadrans. This coin was the smallest denomination in Roman currency, emphasizing the completeness of justice and the importance of settling debts, even to the smallest amount.

2. Mark 12:42 : "Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a small fraction of a denarius." The widow's offering of two small coins, often referred to as "mites" or "farthings," highlights the theme of sacrificial giving. Despite the coins' minimal monetary value, Jesus commends the widow for her generosity, as she gave all she had to live on. This account underscores the principle that God values the heart and intent behind the gift more than the monetary amount.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the Roman economy, the quadrans was the smallest coin in circulation, equivalent to a quarter of an as, which itself was a fraction of a denarius. The use of such small coins in the biblical narrative serves to illustrate the economic realities of the time, where even the smallest denominations were significant to the poor and marginalized.

The farthing's mention in the Bible is not merely about currency but serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual truths. It reflects the teachings of Jesus on the importance of faithfulness in small matters, the value of sincere devotion, and the assurance that God sees and honors the sacrifices made by those who give from their poverty.

Theological Implications:

The references to the farthing in Scripture invite believers to consider the nature of true wealth and generosity. They challenge the faithful to evaluate their own giving and priorities, encouraging a heart posture that values spiritual riches over material wealth. The farthing, though small, becomes a symbol of the profound truth that in God's economy, the worth of an offering is measured not by its size but by the love and sacrifice it represents.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 5:26
Truly I say to you, You shall by no means come out there, till you have paid the uttermost farthing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
... 6-3/4 yards of calico, four pieces of lining ... of clothing and furniture, which have
been mentioned in the ... Thus week after week passed away, and the money did not ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter i beginning and early.htm

Matt. Ii. 16
... suppose a certain servant who owes much money to his ... we are taught this, which I
mentioned before, never to ... they themselves burnt up [385] and cut to pieces. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ix matt ii 16.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... take in hand the Scriptures, rend them in pieces and teach ... Count as money gained
the sum that you must expend upon ... [1530] A verbose rhetorician mentioned by Cic ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich
... and my eldest brother brought me two pieces of cloth. ... in the subject, and the friend
above-mentioned heard the ... Anne Catherine gave a small sum of money for the ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/the life of anne catherine.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... 4732] "Make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof." Are all commanded
[4733] not to have two coats, nor food in their scrip, money in their ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... signification, and are doubled, perhaps to teach us that the person mentioned in
the ... Thus those under the law were redeemed by the money called the redemption ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... Badman's fraudulent dealings to get money,. ... his relations, who must needs be broken
to pieces with such ... mentioned already; and, indeed, I have mentioned but some ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... personalities when he never ceases to attack and tear to pieces the translator ... it
rises from the dead: then let such things henceforward cease to be mentioned. ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

On the Soul and the Resurrection.
... As a sailor, when his ship has been wrecked and gone to pieces, cannot float upon
all the pieces at once [1779] which have been scattered this way and that ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the soul and the 2.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... he sold was in itself not worth a farthing, and yet ... thy belly, thy soul full, without
price or money (Isaiah 55:2 ... such a dead state as is here mentioned; for he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm