mite Summary and Overview

contraction of minute, from the Latin minutum, the translation of the Greek word lepton, the very smallest bronze of copper coin (Luke 12:59; 21:2). Two mites made one quadrans, i.e., the fourth part of a Roman as, which was in value nearly a halfpenny. (See FARTHING T0001311.)

a coin current in Israel in the time of our Lord. #Mr 12:41-44; Lu 21:1-4| It seems in Israel to have been the smallest piece of money (worth about one-fifth of a cent), being the half of the farthing, which was a coin of very low value. From St. Mark's explanation, "two mites, which make a farthing," ver. 42, it may perhaps be inferred that the farthing was the commoner coin.

MITE , the lowest denomination of Jewish money - two mites making a farthing - and probably of the value of two mills of our currency. Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4.

lepton. The seventh of an obolus, which was the sixth of a drachma or denarius, "penny" (Mark 12:42; Luke 12:59; Luke 21:2). Half of a quadrans or farthing. The smallest coin. The widow sowed her all; she might have kept back one of the two mites for herself (2 Corinthians 9:6). God accepted the widow's mites, but rejects the miser's "mite."