And Jesus sat opposite the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
All Commentaries on Mark 12:41 Go To Mark 12
Cornelius a Lapide
AD 1637
How the people cast money: s, brass (Vulg.), i.e, all sorts of money, whether brass, silver, or gold. For the first money was made of brass, hence all money was afterwards called brass, even when made of silver or gold.
Into the treasury; gazophylacium (Vulg.). For gaza is a Persian word, meaning riches; and φυλάττειν is to keep. This was a chest into which gifts were cast by the people, and kept for the service of the Temple, and for supporting the priests and the poor. Hence, also, the porch in which the chest was kept was called by the same name. Thus it is said in John viii20 , "These words spake Jesus in the treasury (gazophylacio), teaching in the Temple." So Bede.
