The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Horsham: 25th June 2025
This familiar incident takes place in the Temple, on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Jesus has been taunted by challenges from various religious and political groups who are keen to silence him. They are attempts to provoke him to blasphemy. They have failed.
Most of those exchanges have taken place in the vast but crowded Court of the Gentiles, or the surrounding Colonnades. At this point, the small group have moved into the Court of the Women (don’t be concerned, gentlemen – this area is open t men and women). This is where the Treasury is located. This is a confined area, largely unroofed, containing a number of large containers called ‘trumpets’ (so called because of their shape), into which monetary offerings for the sacrifices and the work of the Temple were to be placed.
We can imagine Jesus and the Disciples, standing near the wall, perhaps in the shade, watching people placing their cash offerings into the ‘trumpets’. If we imagine that we are standing there with them, we will notice the steady movement of people passing through to offer their contribution to the Temple funds. The ‘trumpets’ are made of metal, and so large donations clatter as they are thrown in with a flourish. The noise attracts the attention of people close by. The more noise that is made, the larger the donation. The larger the donation, the greater the attention. The greater the attention, the greater the respect given to the donor. This is a great way to get yourself noticed. The donor stands for a moment in an attitude of contrition and prayer, quietly enjoying the approving glances of those around him.
In the midst of the bustle, a widow, probably an older lady, approaches the trumpet close to where Christ and the disciples are standing. She receives no social security. There is no benefits system. This woman is living in extreme poverty. Yet still she brings her gift to the Temple. Her gift for the work of God. Without ceremony, she drops two of the smallest coins into the mouth of the ‘trumpet’. Her gift slides almost silently into the vault below. She pauses. She prays. And then she moves on, quickly lost in the crowd. Her gift passes unnoticed. Except by the Son of God.
The contrast is stark. The rich are giving from their great wealth. In spite of their great generosity, they remain comfortable and affluent. The widow, in her poverty, put in all that she had, with no certainty of where her next meal will come from. She has nothing left but her trust in God.
In the narrative of Mark’s gospel, Jesus has just been teaching about the dangers and the damage of pride. Here again we see an example of prideful giving, against the humility of the woman who gives her all.
The End Piece
The lesson here is not just about financial giving, although that is part of the challenge. Those who give of their time, their money, their resources, their gifts, their lives to Christ, and whilst giving generously, hold back much are like the rich man. The contrast is with the one who has so little to offer, yet gives her all. Hers is the true example of sacrifice.
There is a great symbolic truth here. It is our tragedy that there is so often some part of our lives which we do not give to Christ. Somehow there is nearly always something we hold back.’ (Barclay, Loc 6094)
On this occasion, as you imagine yourself in the Court of the Women alongside Christ and the Disciples, try to see yourself as part of the action – stepping out of the crowd and approaching the ‘trumpet’. What will you offer? How much are you ready to sacrifice? What will you hold back?
Reflecting on His upside down kingdom – where the first shall be last, where the greatest shall be the servant of all, and those who want to gain their life will lose it, I wonder what Christ is saying to you through this simple story.
As in the story, the Son of God sees your sacrifice. I wonder what he says to his Disciples about you?