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Mark 12:44
For all they did cast in of their abundance...
After Jesus argues that the Anointed is not the son of David.
Mark 12:44 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.
Mark 12:44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.
Because they all tossed out out of that superfluity of theirs. This one, however, she tossed out out of this deprivation of hers, all, as much as she had, that whole livelihood of hers.
Greek
Greek Word Order
We should cast out humorous exaggeration out of our desire to be taken seriously.
Lost in Translation
In this verse, Jesus uses exaggeration, a common form of his humor, but this is stripped out of the translation. The phrase "everything, as much as she had, that whole livelihood of hers" is stripped down to "everything" or "all" in modern translations. Even the KJV ignores the "as much as." The "whole" is either ignored or confused with "all" as well. This "whole" is the same "whole" in Mark 12:30, describing a "whole heart, whole self, whole mind, and whole strength" but mistranslated there as "all."
The verb translated variously as "cast in," "gave," and "put" means "tossed out," and it appears twice, once referring to everyone else and again referring to the poor woman. The "cast out" is important because it maintains the double meaning of throwing away something and tossing something into the collection box. It too is exaggerated, the "out" in its prefix is repeated in the preposition phrases "out of that superfluity of theirs" and "out of that deprivation of hers." The verb is used as the punchline for each clause, while the preposition phrase starts it. All of this wordplay is lost in translation.
Vocabulary (Greek word by word)
πάντες [212 verses]( adj pl masc nom ) "All" is pas, which means "all", "the whole", "every", "anyone", "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way", "on every side", "in every way," and "altogether."
γὰρ [205 verses](partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for", "since," and "as." In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what."
οὗτοι [83 verses](adj pl masc nom ) "These" is houtos, which as an adjective means "this", "that", "the nearer." As an adverb, it means "in this way", "therefore", "so much", "to such an extent," and "that is why."
ἐκ [121 verses] (prep) "Of" is ek, which means 1) [of motion] "out of", "from", "by", "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond", "outside of", "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after", "from;" 4) [of rest] "on", "in," 5) [of time] "since", "from", "at", "in;" 5) [of materials] "out of", "made from."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen ) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
περισσεύοντος [8 verses](part sg pres act masc gen ) "Abundance" is perisseuo which means "to be over and above", "to go beyond", "to abound in", "to be superior," and, in a negative sense, "to be superfluous." --
αὐτοῖς, [55 verses](pron/adj pl masc dat) "Their" is the dative case of the third-person, plural adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord."
ἔβαλον [54 verses](verb 3rd pl aor ind act ) "Have...cast" is ballo, which means "to throw", "to let fall," "to cast," "to put", "to pour", "to place money on deposit", "push forward or in front [of animals]", "to shed", "to place", "to pay,"to throw [of dice,]" "to be lucky", "to fall", "to lay as foundation", "to begin to form", "to dash oneself with water," and "to bathe."
αὕτη [42 verses](adj sg fem nom) "She" is houtos, which as an adjective means "this", "that", "the nearer." As an adverb, it means "in this way", "therefore", "so much", "to such an extent," and "that is why." --
δὲ [446 verses](conj/adv) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be a weak connective ("and") and explanation of cause ("so").
ἐκ [121 verses](prep) "Of" is ek, which means 1) [of motion] "out of", "from", "by", "away from;" 2) [of place] "beyond", "outside of", "beyond;" 3) [of succession] "after", "from;" 4) [of rest] "on", "in," 5) [of time] "since", "from", "at", "in;" 5) [of materials] "out of", "made from."
τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen ) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
ὑστερήσεως [1 verse](noun sg fem gen) "Want" is hysteresis, which is a NT form of the word husterêma, which means "shortcoming,""deficiency," and "need." The more standard word is used in Luke.
πάντα [212 verses]( adj pl neut acc ) "All" is pas, which means "all", "the whole", "every", "anyone", "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way", "on every side", "in every way," and "altogether."
ὅσα [28 verses](adj pl neut acc) Untranslated is hosos, which means "as many," "how many," "how much," "as much as," "as great as,"how great," "as far as," "how far," and "only so far as."
εἶχεν [181 verses]( verb 3rd sg imperf ind act ) "She had" is echo, which means "to have", "to hold", "to possess", "to keep", "to have charge of", "to have due to one", "to maintain", "to hold fast", "to bear", "to carry", "to keep close", "to keep safe," and "to have means to do."
ἔβαλεν. [54 verses]( verb 3rd sg aor ind act ) "Hath cast" is ballo, which means "to throw", "to let fall," "to cast," "to put", "to pour", "to place money on deposit", "push forward or in front [of animals]", "to shed", "to place", "to pay,"to throw [of dice,]" "to be lucky", "to fall", "to lay as foundation", "to begin to form", "to dash oneself with water," and "to bathe."
ὅλον [23 verses](adj sg masc acc ) "[Even] all" is holos, which means "the whole", "entire", "the universe," and "safe and sound." This is not the word translated as "all" elsewhere in this verse (and most commonly in the NT), which is above, pas.
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
βίον [5 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Living" is bios, which means "mode of life", "livelihood", "means of living", "the world we live in", "a biography," and "caste."
αὐτῆς [29 verses](pro/adj sg fem gen) "Her" is autes, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs
KJV — word by word
For --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the following verb.
did -- This helping verb might indicate the past. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
cast -- The word translated as "cast" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." Jesus often uses this word in the same way we use "dump" in English. In dice, it means "to throw" the dice, but with the sense of being lucky.
in - (CW) This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix. However, this is not the common word for "in" but one that means "out of" when referring to motion. It means "in" when referring to things as rest.
of -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases with usually use with "of."
their -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The form is not that usually used for a possessive but that usually used for an indicated object. The sense is that this is "that being superfluous to them," in other words, this is how they perceive it.
abundance; -- (WF) The verb translated as "abundance" is a participle that means "having a surplus," "going beyond" or "surpassing." The sense here feeling negative, "being superfluous."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
she -- (WW) "She" is translated from a Greek word that means "this", "that", "the nearer." The form is feminine singular.
of -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases with usually use with "of."
her -- The word translated as "her" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
want -- "Want" is a noun that means "shortcoming,""deficiency," and "need." This words is only used once by Jesus The more standard word for "need" is used in the similar verse in Luke 21:4.
did -- This helping verb might indicates the past. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
cast -- The word translated as "cast" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." Jesus often uses this word in the same way we use "dump" in English. In dice, it means "to throw" the dice, but with the sense of being lucky.
in - (CW) This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix. However, this is not the common word for "in" but one that means "out of" when referring to motion. It means "in" when referring to things as rest.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."
missing "as much as" -- (MW) -- The adjective translated as "whatsoever" means "as many," "how many," "how much," "as much as," "as great as,"how great," "as far as," "how far," and "only so far as."and similar ideas of comparison.
that -- (OS) There is no Greek word that is translated as "that" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
she -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb.
had, -- The word translated as "had" means to "have", "possess", "bear", "keep close", "have means to do", "to have due to one", or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
even -- (IW) There is no Greek word that is translated as "even" in the source.
all . -- The word translated as "all" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole." This is not the word translated as "all" above.
missing "the" - (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
her -- The word translated as "her" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word appears after "living" so "of hers."
living.-- "Living" is a noun that means "mode of life", "livelihood", "means of living", "the world we live in", "a biography," and "caste."
NIV — word by word
missing "for"-- (MW) The untranslated word "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause".
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the following verb.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way", "on every side," and "altogether."
gave -- (WW) The word translated as "gave" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." Jesus often uses this word in the same way we use "dump" in English. In dice, it means "to throw" the dice, but with the sense of being lucky.
out of -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases with usually use with "of."
their -- The word translated as "their" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The form is not that usually used for a possessive but that usually used for an indicated object. The sense is that this is "that being superfluous to them," in other words, this is how they perceive it.
wealth; -- (WF) The verb translated as "wealth" is a participle that means "having a surplus," "going beyond" or "surpassing." The sense here feeling negative, "being superfluous."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "however", and "on the other hand". Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
she -- (WW) "She" is translated from a Greek word that means "this", "that", "the nearer." The form is feminine singular.
out of -- The Greek preposition translated as "of" means "out of" or "from." In Greek, they use the genitive case instead of a preposition for the types of phrases with usually use with "of."
her -- The word translated as "her" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English.
poverty -- "Poverty" is a noun that means "shortcoming,""deficiency," and "need." This words is only used once by Jesus The more standard word for "need" is used in the similar verse in Luke 21:4.
put -- (WW) The word translated as "cast" has a number of meanings revolving around "throw" as we do in English with both "throw" and "toss." Jesus often uses this word in the same way we use "dump" in English. In dice, it means "to throw" the dice, but with the sense of being lucky.
in - (CW) This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix. However, this is not the common word for "in" but one that means "out of" when referring to motion. It means "in" when referring to things as rest.
everything -- The word translated as "everything" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole." This is not the word translated as "all" below.
all . -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything."
missing "as much as" -- (MW) -- The adjective translated as "whatsoever" means "as many," "how many," "how much," "as much as," "as great as,"how great," "as far as," "how far," and "only so far as."and similar ideas of comparison.
she -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the following verb.
had, -- The word translated as "had" means to "have", "possess", "bear", "keep close", "have means to do", "to have due to one", or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
missing "the" - (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
missing "her" - (MW) The untranslated word"her" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. The word appears after "living" so "of hers."
to live.-- (WF) "To live" is a noun that means "mode of life", "livelihood", "means of living", "the world we live in", "a biography," and "caste."
on. -- (IW) There is no Greek word that is translated as "on" in the source.