Topical Bible: Money: Pieces of Mentioned: Mite

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Topical Encyclopedia

The "mite" is a small coin mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the context of a teaching by Jesus Christ. The term "mite" is derived from the Greek word "lepton," which means "small" or "thin." It was the smallest and least valuable coin in circulation in Judea during the time of Jesus.

Biblical Reference:

The most notable mention of the mite is found in the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus observes a poor widow making an offering at the temple. In Mark 12:41-44 , the account is as follows:

"Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into it. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a small fraction of a denarius. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.'"

Similarly, in Luke 21:1-4 , the account is reiterated:

"Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 'Truly I tell you,' He said, 'this poor widow has put in more than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.'"

Historical and Cultural Context:

The mite, or lepton, was a coin of very low value, often made of copper or bronze. It was worth a fraction of a denarius, which was a day's wage for a laborer. The use of the mite in the biblical narrative highlights the contrast between the wealthy, who gave from their abundance, and the widow, who gave all she had, demonstrating her faith and devotion.

Theological Significance:

The account of the widow's mite is often interpreted as a lesson on the nature of true giving and sacrifice. It underscores the principle that the value of a gift is not determined by its monetary worth but by the spirit and intent behind it. The widow's offering, though small in material terms, was immense in spiritual significance because it represented her total trust in God to provide for her needs.

This account also serves as a critique of the religious leaders and the societal structures that allowed such poverty to exist, while emphasizing the importance of humility, generosity, and faithfulness in the eyes of God. Jesus' commendation of the widow's act serves as a powerful reminder of the kingdom values that prioritize the heart's posture over outward appearances or material wealth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 12:42
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 21:2
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Ministry.
... hire or bargaining, far less to use it as a Trade to get money by: yet ... of the primitive
times gathered by the apostles; whereof we have divers mentioned in the ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

The Tabernacle of the Most High
... I have, however, already mentioned this precious fact. ... They hack it to pieces. ... There
is no people that take out their quarter's seat-money so fully. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the tabernacle of the most.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

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... of men, which thing of itself is sufficient to quash and break to pieces all desires ...
We have so many foolish ways to lay out money, in toys and fools' baubles ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... it, to take and drink thy belly, thy soul full, without price or money (Isaiah
55:2 ... body, which cannot stand with 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

Memoir of John Bunyan
... innocent blood shed in Leicester, and the royal army was cut to pieces; carriages,
cannon ... Could this call have been gotten for money, and 'could I have given it ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... Then said one of the two of the men, We make no assault upon you for money, but
are ... They then gave ear, and heard, as they thought, Christiana mentioned by name ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Doctrine
... His convictions, "lest He tear you in pieces, and there be ... for the which those sins
before mentioned were punished ... to my command, goeth and spends my money in a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm