Two Small Coins: Mark 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the temple treasury and watched.

The collection receptacles were trumpet-shaped—coins dropped in would clatter down the brass, announcing their arrival. The wealthy came with pouches heavy with silver, making impressive noise as their gifts cascaded into the coffers. People noticed. That was partly the point.

Then she came: a poor widow, invisible in a crowd of wealth. She dropped in two small copper coins—lepta, the smallest currency in circulation. Together they were worth less than a penny. The sound they made was almost nothing, easily lost in the clatter of silver.

Jesus called his disciples over. "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others."