Lexical Summary gazophulakion: Treasury Original Word: γαζοφυλάκιον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance treasury. From gaza and phulake; a treasure-house, i.e. A court in the temple for the collection-boxes -- treasury. see GREEK gaza see GREEK phulake NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gaza and phulaké Definition treasury NASB Translation treasury (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1049: γαζοφυλάκιονγαζοφυλάκιον, γαζοφυλακίου, τό (from γάζα, which see, and φυλακή; hence, equivalent to θησαυροφυλακιον, Hesychius), a repository of treasure, especially of public treasure, a treasury: Esther 3:9; 1 Esdr. 8:18, 44; 1 Macc. 3:28. In the Sept. used for לִשְׁכָּה and נִשְׁכָּה of apartments constructed in the courts of the temple, in which not only the sacred offerings and things needful for the temple service were kept, but in which also the priests, etc., dwelt: Nehemiah 13:7; Nehemiah 10:37ff; of the sacred treasury, in which not only treasure but also the public records (1 Macc. 14:49; cf. Grimm at the passage) were stored, and the property of widows and orphans was deposited (2 Macc. 3:10; cf. Grimm at the passage): 1 Macc. 14:49; 2 Macc. 3:6, 28, 40 2Macc. 4:42 2Macc. 5:18. Josephus speaks of both γαζοφυλάκια (plural) in the women's court of Herod's temple, b. j. 5, 5, 2; 6, 5, 2; and τό γαζοφυλάκιον, Antiquities 19, 6, 1. In the N. T., in Mark 12:41, 43; Luke 21:1; John 8:20 (ἐν τῷ γαζοφυλακίῳ, at, near, the treasury (yet cf. Winer's Grammar, § 48, a., the passage cited)), τό γαζοφυλάκιον seems to be used of that receptacle mentioned by the rabbis to which were fitted thirteen chests or boxes, שׁופָרות i. e. trumpets, so called from their shape, and into which were put the contributions made voluntarily or paid yearly by the Jews for the service of the temple and the support of the poor; cf. Lightfoot, Horae Hebrew et Talm., p. 536f; Lücke (Tholuck, or Godet) on John 8:20; (B. D. American edition under the word Topical Lexicon Overview of the New Testament Treasury (Strong’s Greek 1049) The term γαζοφυλάκιον denotes the “treasury” precinct in the Jerusalem temple where both monetary gifts and certain vessels were stored. Its five Gospel occurrences cluster around two distinct narrative settings: Jesus’ public teaching during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 8:20) and His observation of temple offerings during Passion Week (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). Occurrences and Narrative Context • Mark 12:41-44 – Jesus sits “opposite the treasury” and commends the poor widow whose two small coins outweigh the larger gifts of the wealthy. Historical Setting: Architecture and Function Archaeological and rabbinic evidence places the treasury in the Court of the Women, immediately inside the Nicanor Gate. Thirteen trumpet-shaped chests (shofar-boxes) stood there, each labeled for specific funds: freewill offerings, bird-sin offerings, wood for the altar, incense, gold vessels, and general contributions. This arrangement: 1. Centralized acts of worship by integrating financial stewardship with sacrificial liturgy. Theological Themes in the Treasury Passages 1. Divine Evaluation of Gifts: “This poor widow has put in more than all the others” (Mark 12:43-44). God weighs intent over amount, revealing the principle that grace-motivated sacrifice transcends economic status. Practical Ministry Implications • Stewardship Teaching: Churches can echo Jesus’ treasury lesson by emphasizing proportionate, sacrificial giving rather than public display. Continuity with Old Testament Worship 2 Chronicles 24:8-12 records Jehoiada’s chest for restoration offerings, while Nehemiah 10:38-39 depicts storerooms for tithes. These antecedents establish that budgeting and sanctity intertwine, climaxing in Jesus’ inspection of temple finances and ultimately His cleansing (Mark 11:15-17). Christological Focus By situating Himself in the treasury, Jesus implicitly claims ownership over temple resources (Malachi 3:1). His presence authenticates the locus of true worship and anticipates the transfer of “treasure” language to heavenly realities (Matthew 6:19-21; Colossians 2:3). Application for Contemporary Believers Believers steward earthly wealth as a tangible confession of trust in God’s provision and as participation in gospel mission. The treasury episodes call every disciple, regardless of means, to invest “all she had to live on” (Mark 12:44) in response to the Savior who gave all for us. Select Bibliography for Further Study Albright, W. F. and S. P. V. Collin. “Temple Tax and Treasury Chests.” Biblical Archaeologist. Edersheim, Alfred. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. Vol. 2, chap. 7. Lane, William L. The Gospel According to Mark. NICNT. Mishnah, Shekalim 6-7; Tamid 3. Forms and Transliterations γαζοφυλάκια γαζοφυλακιον γαζοφυλάκιον γαζοφυλακιου γαζοφυλακίου γαζοφυλακιω γαζοφυλακίω γαζοφυλακίῳ γαζοφυλακίων γαιών gazophulakio gazophulakiō gazophulakion gazophulakiou gazophylakio gazophylakiō gazophylakíoi gazophylakíōi gazophylakion gazophylákion gazophylakiou gazophylakíouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 12:41 N-GNSGRK: κατέναντι τοῦ γαζοφυλακίου ἐθεώρει πῶς NAS: opposite the treasury, and [began] observing KJV: over against the treasury, and beheld INT: opposite the treasury he saw how Mark 12:41 N-ANS Mark 12:43 N-ANS Luke 21:1 N-ANS John 8:20 N-DNS Strong's Greek 1049 |
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