CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Farthings</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/f/farthings.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/mark/12-42.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/f/farthings.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Farthings</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/naves/f/farthing--assarion,_a_roman_coin_worth,_in_american_money,_only_a_few_cents.htm" title="Farthing: Assarion, a Roman Coin Worth, in American Money, Only a Few Cents">◄</a> Farthings <a href="/topical/f/fascism.htm" title="Fascism">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In biblical times, the term "farthing" is used to describe a small unit of currency, often representing a minimal amount of money. The concept of the farthing is primarily found in the New Testament, where it is used to illustrate teachings on value, sacrifice, and divine providence.<br><br><b>Biblical References:</b><br><br>1. <b><a href="/matthew/5-26.htm">Matthew 5:26</a> :</b> "Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." In this passage, the term "penny" is translated from the Greek word "kodrantes," which is equivalent to the Roman quadrans, the smallest Roman coin. The farthing here symbolizes the smallest debt or obligation, emphasizing the importance of settling disputes and fulfilling obligations completely.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/matthew/10-29.htm">Matthew 10:29</a> :</b> "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father." The "penny" in this verse is again translated from "assarion," a small Roman coin. This passage highlights God's providential care over even the smallest creatures, using the farthing to illustrate the low monetary value of sparrows, yet underscoring their worth in God's eyes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/mark/12-42.htm">Mark 12:42</a> :</b> "Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a small fraction of a denarius." The "small copper coins" are often referred to as "mites" or "lepta," the smallest coins in circulation in Judea. The widow's offering, though monetarily insignificant, is portrayed as a profound act of faith and devotion, as she gave all she had to live on.<br><br><b>Cultural and Historical Context:</b><br><br>In the Roman economy, the quadrans was the smallest denomination of coinage, often made of bronze or copper. It was worth one-fourth of an "as," another Roman coin. The use of such small denominations in the teachings of Jesus serves to communicate profound spiritual truths through everyday economic realities familiar to His audience.<br><br>The farthing, as a representation of minimal monetary value, is used by Jesus to teach about the kingdom of God, where the value of an offering is not measured by its monetary worth but by the heart and sacrifice behind it. This is evident in the account of the widow's mite, where her small contribution is esteemed above larger, more ostentatious gifts because it was given out of her poverty and with complete trust in God.<br><br><b>Theological Implications:</b><br><br>The references to farthings in the New Testament underscore several key theological themes:<br><br>· <b>Divine Providence:</b> God's care extends to all creation, even to those things considered insignificant by human standards. The use of the farthing in Jesus' teachings about sparrows illustrates God's intimate involvement in the world.<br><br>· <b>True Value and Sacrifice:</b> The widow's offering of two mites challenges believers to consider the nature of true generosity and sacrifice. It is not the amount given that matters, but the spirit in which it is given.<br><br>· <b>Justice and Accountability:</b> The mention of paying the last penny in <a href="/matthew/5-26.htm">Matthew 5:26</a> serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and reconciliation, urging believers to resolve conflicts and fulfill their obligations.<br><br>In summary, the concept of the farthing in the Bible serves as a powerful tool for teaching about God's kingdom, where the values of the world are often inverted, and the smallest acts of faith and devotion are of great significance.<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/francis/treatise_on_the_love_of_god/chapter_xiv_a_short_method.htm"><span class="l">A Short Method to Know God's Will.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> money, but only valuable pieces: trading would be too troublesome and would devour<br> too much time, if we were to weigh pence, halfpence, <b>farthings</b> and half <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiv a short method.htm</font><p><a href="/library/wilson-carmichael/things_as_they_are/chapter_xxiii_pan_pan_is.htm"><span class="l">"Pan, Pan is Dead"</span></a> <br><b>...</b> We spend our <b>farthings</b>, proceeds of our sales, on her cakes, and she is mollified. <b>...</b><br> Then we wish we had not squandered our <b>farthings</b> on those impossible cakes. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxiii pan pan is.htm</font><p><a href="/library/goforth/how_i_know_god_answers_prayer/i_getting_things_from_god.htm"><span class="l">"Getting Things from God"</span></a> <br><b>...</b> I "GETTING THINGS FROM GOD". "Are not five sparrows sold for two <b>farthings</b>,<br> and not one of them is forgotten before God? . . . Fear <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/i getting things from god.htm</font><p><a href="/library/wesley/sermons_on_several_occasions/sermon_67_on_divine_providence.htm"><span class="l">On Divine Providence</span></a> <br><b>...</b> cast into hell." He guards them farther against it, by the consideration of an<br> over-ruling providence: "Are not five sparrows sold for two <b>farthings</b>, and not <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 67 on divine providence.htm</font><p><a href="/library/hippolytus/the_refutation_of_all_heresies/chapter_xx_pythagoras_cosmogony_similar_to.htm"><span class="l">Pythagoras' Cosmogony; Similar to that of Empedocles.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> as if one severs into small parts, and divides arithmetically, the myriad into<br> thousands, and hundreds, and tens; and drachm?? into oboli and small <b>farthings</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xx pythagoras cosmogony similar to.htm</font><p><a href="/library/wesley/the_journal_of_john_wesley/wesley_opens_a_new_church.htm"><span class="l">Wesley Opens a New Church</span></a> <br><b>...</b> a ditch round it, with some face of a fortification; it probably (according to custom)<br> costs the Government a thousand a year for not three <b>farthings</b>' service! <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley opens a new church.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/apology/chapter_vi_i_would_now.htm"><span class="l">I Would Now have These Most Religious Protectors and vindicators <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> of open day. Footnotes: [83] As = 2-1/8 <b>farthings</b>. Sestertium = ?�7, 16s.<br> 3d. [84] Slaves still bearing the marks of the scourge. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter vi i would now.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jerome/the_principal_works_of_st_jerome/letter_xliii_to_marcella.htm"><span class="l">Letter Xliii. To Marcella.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [906] Nummus. Sc. Sestertius = 4 cents = 2[pence. [907] Obolus = 3-1-2 cents = 1<br> penny 3[<b>farthings</b>. [908] Psalm 73:20, Vulg. [909] Genesis 1:26. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xliii to marcella.htm</font><p><a href="/library/borrow/letters_of_george_borrow/to_the_rev_a_brandram_49.htm"><span class="l">To the Rev. A. Brandram</span></a> <br><b>...</b> days since he bespoke a Testament, but not being able to raise the money he has<br> not redeemed it until the present moment; he has just brought thirty <b>farthings</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 49.htm</font><p><a href="/library/watson/a_body_of_divinity/10_the_truth_of_god.htm"><span class="l">The Truth of God</span></a> <br><b>...</b> better. If a man promises to pay me in <b>farthings</b>, and he pays me in a<br> better coin, as in gold, he does not break his promise. I <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 the truth of god.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/f/farthings.htm"><span class="l"><b>Farthings</b> (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Farthings</b> (3 Occurrences). Mark 12:42 But there came one<br> poor widow and dropped in two <b>farthings</b>, equal in value to a halfpenny. (WEY) <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/farthings.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/farthing.htm"><span class="l">Farthing (5 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> till you have paid the last farthing." (WEY BBE). Luke 21:2 He also saw<br> a poor widow dropping in two <b>farthings</b>, (Root in WEY BBE). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/farthing.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/penny.htm"><span class="l">Penny (14 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2. (n.) An English coin, formerly of copper, now of bronze, the twelfth part of<br> an English shilling in account value, and equal to four <b>farthings</b>, or about two <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/penny.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/fashion.htm"><span class="l">Fashion (24 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/fashion.htm - 21k</font><p><a href="/topical/v/value.htm"><span class="l">Value (138 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> KJV BBE WBS). Mark 12:42 But there came one poor widow and dropped in two<br><b>farthings</b>, equal in value to a halfpenny. (WEY). Luke 12 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/v/value.htm - 37k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/exchange.htm"><span class="l">Exchange (41 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows given in<br> exchange for two <b>farthings</b>? and God has every one of them in mind. (BBE). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/exchange.htm - 20k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/dropped.htm"><span class="l">Dropped (52 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> the sea. (BBE). Mark 12:42 But there came one poor widow and dropped in<br> two <b>farthings</b>, equal in value to a halfpenny. (WEY). Luke <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/dropped.htm - 22k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/dropping.htm"><span class="l">Dropping (33 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> the wealthy threw in large sums. (WEY). Luke 21:2 He also saw a poor widow<br> dropping in two <b>farthings</b>, (WEY). Luke 22:44 while He--an <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/dropping.htm - 17k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/sparrow.htm"><span class="l">Sparrow (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Two sparrows were sold for a farthing (Matthew 10:29), and five for two <b>farthings</b><br> (Luke 12:6). The Hebrew word thus rendered is tsippor, which properly denotes <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/sparrow.htm - 13k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Farthings (3 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/mark/12-42.htm">Mark 12:42</a></span><br />But there came one poor widow and dropped in two <span class="boldtext">farthings</span>, equal in value to a halfpenny.<br /><span class="source">(WEY)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/12-6.htm">Luke 12:6</a></span><br />Are not five sparrows sold for two <span class="boldtext">farthings</span>, and not one of them is forgotten before God?<br /><span class="source">(KJV BBE WBS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/luke/21-2.htm">Luke 21:2</a></span><br />He also saw a poor widow dropping in two <span class="boldtext">farthings</span>,<br /><span class="source">(WEY)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/f/farthings.htm">Farthings</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/farthing.htm">Farthing (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/penny.htm">Penny (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fashion.htm">Fashion (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/value.htm">Value (138 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/exchange.htm">Exchange (41 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dropped.htm">Dropped (52 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dropping.htm">Dropping (33 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sparrow.htm">Sparrow (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mind.htm">Mind (615 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/halfpenny.htm">Halfpenny (2 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/f/farthing--assarion,_a_roman_coin_worth,_in_american_money,_only_a_few_cents.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Farthing: Assarion, a Roman Coin Worth, in American Money, Only a Few Cents"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Farthing: Assarion, a Roman Coin Worth, in American Money, Only a Few Cents" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/f/fascism.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Fascism"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Fascism" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>