Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 12:44

44 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.

This is the only piece of History in this Chapter, which we did not before meet with in Matthew. Luke hath this, Ch. 21. v. 1, 2, 3, 4. For the understanding of this History, both as to the Letter, and profitable Instruction arising from it we must know, That in the Temple (where our Saviour now was) there was a Treasury, or rather Treasuries. And famous Dr. Lightfoot saith, there were Treasure Chambers called Lesacoth, and thirteen Treasure-Chests called Shopheroth, all called by the General Name of Corban or Corbonah. Two of these Chests were for the half-shekel, which every Israelite was to pay according to the Law, Exod. 30.12, 13. There were Eleven more, the Inscription upon which shewed what Money should be put there. 1. For the price of the two Turtle Doves, or two Young Pigeons. 2. For the Burnt Offering of Birds. 3. For the Money offered to buy Wood for the Altar. 4. For those who gave Money to buy Franckincense. 5. For those who offered Gold for the Mercy-Seat. 6. For the Residue of the Money for the Sin-Offering. 7. For the Residue of the Money for a Trespass Offering. 8. For the Residue of an Offering of Birds. 9. For the Surpluss of a Nazarites Offering. 10. For the Residue of a Lepers Trespass-Offering. 11. For whosoever would offer an Offering of the Herd. The Israelites tyed to their several Offerings, were not tyed to provide them themselves, but they might bring Sums of Money, with which the Priests provided them, and if there were a Surplusage, it was put into one or other of these Chests. These Chests were placed in that part of the Temple, which was called the Court of the Women, not because none but Women might come there, but because Women might go no further. As the Court of the Gentiles (into which Jews came) was so called because the Gentiles might go no further. Our Lord so sate, as he observed Men come and put their Offerings into one of these Chests. He saw many Iews that were Rich casting in much Money of Silver, or Gold, or Brass, tho Brass Money was most in use. Amongst others a poor Widow came, she threw in two Mites, which make a Farthing. As to the value of what she threw in, let us hear the Learned Dr. Lightfoot in his Temple-Service, Chap. 19. The Weight of the piece of Silver mentioned in the Law, was three hundred and twenty Barly Corns. The wise Men added to it, and made it four hundred eighty four middle Barly Corns. This made four Denarii, each Denarius made six Meahs; which in Moses his time was called a Gerah. The Meah made two Pondions, the Pondion made two Issarins or Assariusses. The Assarius or Issarine, was the Weight of four Barly Corn[illegible: 1 letter] ▪ the Weight of a Mite was half a Barly Corn. According to this Rate, the Widows two Mites made in Silver the Weight of a middle Barly Corn. This our Saviour calls All that s[illegible: 1 letter]e had, and all her living. The Greek is all her life, that is, all that she had to sustain her Life. Arias Montanus think[illegible: 1 letter] that that which is meant is, all that she▪ had to uphold her Life for one Day. For it is said, that this Quantity, was usually reckoned the Livelyhood, or a sufficiency for a poor Man for a Day. Christ saith, she had cast in more than any of the rest; not more strictly, but pro rata, comparing what they were able to do with what she was able to do. The two great instructions which this [illegible: 1 word] affords us are, 1. That the poorer sort of People are not excused from good Works, 2. Cor. 8.2, 3. 2. That God in [illegible: 1 letter]is acceptation of our good Works looks at the Heart, the Will, and Affections, not at the Quantum of what we do, 2 Cor. 8.12. If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted, not according to what a Man hath not, but according to what he hath. It is the obedience, and love which God accepteth, not the Quantum of the Gift.