The term "farthing" appears in the New Testament of the Bible and is used to denote a small unit of currency. In the context of the Scriptures, it is a translation of the Greek word "assarion," which was a Roman coin of low value. The farthing is mentioned in the Gospel accounts, specifically in the teachings of Jesus, to illustrate lessons on value, worth, and divine providence.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 10:29 : "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." In this passage, the term "penny" is often understood to be equivalent to the farthing. Jesus uses the example of sparrows, which were sold for a minimal amount, to emphasize God's care and attention to even the smallest and seemingly insignificant aspects of creation. This teaching reassures believers of their value in the eyes of God, who is sovereign over all.

2. Matthew 5:26 : "Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." Here, the farthing is used in the context of a legal and moral teaching. Jesus is speaking about the importance of reconciliation and settling disputes. The reference to the farthing underscores the completeness of justice and the necessity of addressing even the smallest debts or wrongs.

3. Mark 12:42 : "Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a small fraction of a denarius." While the term "farthing" is not directly used in this verse, the concept is similar. The widow's offering, though monetarily insignificant, is highlighted by Jesus as an example of true generosity and faith. Her contribution, though small, is valued greatly in the kingdom of God because it represents her total trust and devotion.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the Roman economy, the assarion was a small copper coin, and its value was minimal compared to larger denominations like the denarius. The use of such coins in Jesus' teachings would have been familiar to His audience, who understood the economic realities of the time. The farthing, therefore, serves as a powerful symbol in the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of humility, divine care, and the true measure of worth.

Theological Significance:

The references to the farthing in the New Testament highlight several key theological principles. First, they underscore the omniscience and omnipresence of God, who is aware of and involved in every detail of His creation. Second, they teach about the kingdom values, where the worth of an individual or an act is not measured by worldly standards but by the heart and intention behind it. Lastly, they serve as a reminder of the call to live righteously, to seek reconciliation, and to trust in God's provision and justice.

In summary, the farthing, though a small and seemingly insignificant coin, carries profound spiritual lessons within the biblical text, reminding believers of God's intimate care and the true nature of value in His kingdom.

(1.) Matthew 10:29; Luke 12:6. Greek assarion, i.e., a small as, which was a Roman coin equal to a tenth of a denarius or drachma, nearly equal to a halfpenny of our money.

(2.) Matthew 5:26; Mark 12:42 (Gr. kodrantes), the quadrant, the fourth of an as, equal to two lepta, mites. The lepton (mite) was the very smallest copper coin.

1. (n.) The fourth of a penny; a small copper coin of Great Britain, being a cent in United States currency.

2. (n.) A very small quantity or value.

3. (n.) A division of land.

FARTHING

far'-thing: The rendering of two words in the Greek of the New Testament, assarion, and kodrantes, Latin quadrans. The assarion was the tenth part of the denarius, and hence in value about one penny or two centuries The quadrans was the fourth part of the Roman as, and worth only about three mills, or less than the English farthing, and is the only term rendered farthing by the American Standard Revised Version. It occurs in Matthew 5:26 and Mark 12:42, while assarion, which occurs in Matthew 10:29 and Luke 12:6, is rendered "penny" by the American Standard Revised Version.

787. assarion -- an assarion, a farthing (one tenth of a drachma)
... an assarion, a farthing (one tenth of a drachma). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: assarion Phonetic Spelling: (as-sar'-ee-on) Short Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/787.htm - 6k

2835. kodrantes -- quadrans, one-fourth of an as (a Roman monetary ...
... monetary unit) NASB Word Usage cent (2). farthing. Of Latin origin; a quadrans,
ie The fourth part of an as -- farthing. (kodranten) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2835.htm - 7k

The Last Farthing.
... THE LAST FARTHING. 'Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out
thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.'"Matthew 5:26. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the last farthing.htm

Justification by Grace
... When Christ redeemed his people, he did it thoroughly; he did not leave a single
debt unpaid, nor yet one farthing for them to settle afterwards. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/justification by grace.htm

Chapter xi.
... Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid
the uttermost farthing." I understand who the judge is: "For the Father ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xi.htm

Agree with Thine Adversary
... into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence,
till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.". This parable ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxvii agree with thine.htm

Worry Versus Peace
... Matthew records how, on one occasion, Jesus said, 'Are not two sparrows sold
for a farthing? ... Two for a farthing; five for a halfpenny. ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xix worry versus peace.htm

I am Sending You as Lambs among Wolves: be Ye Now Wise as Serpents ...
... Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing in a bond? ... ms., like the Brit. Mus. text
of Ibn-at-Tayyib's Commentary, omits for a farthing, retaining in a bond. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xiii i am sending.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... unless he now becomes reconciled to his brother.] 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou
shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

So Likewise Ye, when Ye Shall have done all those Things
... not help; therefore, faith also does not help." We must give the uncultured men
a homely illustration: It does not follow that because a half-farthing does not ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 10 so likewise ye.htm

The Little Match Girl
... of them in her hand. No one had bought anything of her all day, and no one
had given her a farthing. Shivering with cold and hunger ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the little match girl.htm

The Widow's Mite
... that were rich cast in much. And there came a poor widow, and she cast in
two mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto Him ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 12 41-44 the widows mite.htm

Farthing (5 Occurrences)
...FARTHING. far'-thing: The rendering of two words in the Greek of the New Testament,
assarion, and kodrantes, Latin quadrans. ...Farthing (5 Occurrences). ...
/f/farthing.htm - 9k

Mite (1 Occurrence)
... (see FARTHING.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ... See Acarina. 2. (n.) A small coin formerly
circulated in England, rated at about a third of a farthing. ...
/m/mite.htm - 8k

Payment (168 Occurrences)
... Payment (168 Occurrences). Matthew 5:26 Truly I say to you, You will not come out
from there till you have made payment of the very last farthing. (BBE). ...
/p/payment.htm - 37k

Farthest (33 Occurrences)

/f/farthest.htm - 17k

Quadrans (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A fourth part of the coin called an as. See As.
2. (n.) The fourth of a penny; a farthing. See Cur. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/q/quadrans.htm - 6k

Verily (146 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means
come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. ...
/v/verily.htm - 39k

Uttermost (48 Occurrences)
... Uttermost (48 Occurrences). Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no
means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. (KJV WBS). ...
/u/uttermost.htm - 23k

Farthings (3 Occurrences)

/f/farthings.htm - 7k

Forth (1639 Occurrences)
... (ASV YLT). Matthew 5:26 verily I say to thee, thou mayest not come forth
thence till that thou mayest pay the last farthing. (YLT). ...
/f/forth.htm - 36k

Threw (133 Occurrences)
... sums. (WEY NIV). Mark 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she
threw in two mites, which make a farthing. (KJV WBS). Mark ...
/t/threw.htm - 34k

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