λεπτός (leptos)
leptos
coin
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The word lepton describes something extremely fine or thin, derived from a root meaning "to peel." In the New Testament, it functions as a noun for a small copper coin, specifically valued at one-eighth of an as. This makes it the smallest unit of currency in circulation at the time, worth less than a modern cent.
Its significance appears in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, where Jesus observes a poor widow contributing two lepta to the temple treasury (Mark 12:42; Luke 21:2). Despite their negligible monetary value, these coins represent the entirety of her means. The term highlights the contrast between material wealth and sacrificial devotion, emphasizing that the weight of an offering lies in its cost to the giver rather than its face value.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word leptos refers to the smallest coin in circulation during Jesus’ time, worth less than a modern cent. In Mark and Luke, we see a poor widow offering two of these tiny coins to the temple treasury. While the amount was negligible in monetary terms, it represented everything she had to live on. This story reminds us that God measures giving not by the size of the gift, but by the heart behind it.
When life feels scarce, this word offers a gentle perspective. It is easy to feel our contributions are too small to matter, yet Jesus noticed and valued this widow’s sacrifice above all others. Your faithfulness in small things is seen and cherished by Him, regardless of what others might overlook.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- lepta2×
- lepton1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λεπτὰ2×
- λεπτὸν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 12:42
A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
This verse identifies the specific coins as lepta, highlighting that Jesus noticed the widow's offering despite its minimal monetary value.
-
Luke 21:2
He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.
Here the term appears again to emphasize that the widow gave out of her poverty, making her gift a true act of sacrificial devotion.
-
Luke 12:59
I tell you, you will by no means get out of there until you have paid the very last penny.”
In this context, the word is used metaphorically to describe the smallest possible debt, illustrating the thoroughness required for reconciliation.