OET interlinear MARK 12:41

12:41a

The events in this section probably happened sometime after Jesus taught people in the temple area in the preceding sections. If you need to begin this section with a time word or phrase in your language, use a general expression. For example:

Later

After that

As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury: The word opposite indicates that Jesus sat where he could see the place where people came to give offerings to God. From his seat he could watch the people as they gave their offerings.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

As Jesus sat facing the temple offering boxes

Jesus was sitting in the temple courts near the collection boxes.

the treasury: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the treasury is used twice in this verse. In 12:41b the BSB translates this phrase as “it.” This treasury was one of several boxes or receptacles where people could put money as an offering for God. They were located in a special place in the temple courtyard, not in the temple building itself. Use a natural word or phrase in your language to describe this treasury. For example:

the place where the temple money boxes were

the place where people offered money to God

12:41b

He watched the crowd putting money into it: Jesus watched the people putting money into special boxes that religious leaders had placed there to receive their offering. The people came individually and dropped coins into the boxes. They gave this money as an offering to God. Later the priests used it to pay for keeping the temple clean and in good condition.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

watched the crowd putting money into the collection boxes

watching people put in their gifts (CEV)

Notice that the example from the CEV does not repeat the word “treasury,” because it is already clear from the context. Translate this verse in a way that is clear but not redundant in your language.

putting: The word putting refers here to the action of placing offerings into offering boxes. Each box had an opening where people dropped in their coins, so several English versions use some form of the word “dropping” here. In some languages there may be an idiom to describe giving offerings. In many languages it will be good to use a general word like “putting” or “placing,” as most English versions do.

money: The Greek word that the BSB translates as money refers here to copper or bronze coins. These coins were not as valuable as gold or silver coins.Some people may have put the more valuable silver or even gold coins into the treasury. But the Greek word used here refers to the less valuable copper and bronze coins. Most English versions use a general word like “money” or “coins” to translate this word. This fits with 12:41c, which indicates that many rich people gave large amounts of money.

it: The Greek word that the BSB translates as it is the same word as “the treasury” in 12:41a. See the note there. See temple, Meaning 1, in the Glossary for more information about the temple and how to translate it.

In some languages, it will be natural to say “it.” In other languages it will be natural to repeat the word or phrase from 12:41a here. For example:

…watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. (RSV)

12:41c

And many rich people put in large amounts: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as put in refers to the action of placing offerings into offering boxes. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Many rich people tossed/dropped in large amounts.

…many rich people were giving a lot of money. (CEV)

…many that were rich cast in much. (GW)

large amounts: The Greek term that the BSB translates as large amounts literally means “a large quantity.” This phrase refers to the large value of the gifts. This may imply that the rich people put in silver and even gold coins, which were worth more than copper and bronze coins.Putting in a lot of coins or several big coins would fit in well with the attitude of the religious leaders, many of whom were rich. They were happy to make a lot of noise in their giving so that many people would observe their generosity.