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Bible story · Mark 12:41–44

The Widow’s Offering

A poor widow gives two tiny coins, and Jesus says she gave the most of all. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

Start the storyFor parents

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In the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus sat down across from the offering box and watched people putting in their money.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Mark 12:41 KJV

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Many rich people came and put in lots of money.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Mark 12:41 KJV

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Then a poor widow came. Her husband had died, and she had very little.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

Mark 12:42 KJV

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She dropped in two tiny copper coins, worth hardly anything at all.

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

Mark 12:42 KJV

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Jesus called his disciples and said, “This poor widow has put in more than all the others.”

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

Mark 12:43 KJV

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“They all gave from what they had left over. But she gave everything she had, all she had to live on.”

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Mark 12:44 KJV

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God doesn’t look at how much we give, but at our hearts, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV

The end

Next story: The Easter Story

What does this story teach?

  • God sees the heart, not the size of the gift.
  • Even a small gift given with love matters to God.
  • Giving is a way to show we trust God to take care of us.
  • God loves a cheerful giver.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. What did the rich people put in the offering box?
  2. How much did the widow give?
  3. Why did Jesus say she gave more than everyone else?
  4. What is something small you could give with a big heart?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in Mark 12:41–44, one verse per screen:

Mark 12 Luke 21 2 Corinthians 9

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of the widow’s offering in the Bible?

It is in Mark 12:41–44 and also in Luke 21:1–4. It is often called the story of the widow’s mite.

What is a mite in the Bible?

A mite was the smallest coin in use, a tiny copper coin. Mark 12:42 says she gave “two mites, which make a farthing,” almost nothing in money.

Why did Jesus say the widow gave more?

Jesus said the rich gave “of their abundance,” but she “of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 12:44). Her gift cost her everything.

What is the lesson of the widow’s offering?

God measures a gift by the heart behind it, not its size. Her small offering showed great love and trust in God.

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