In biblical times, the term "penny" is often used to translate the Greek word "denarius," which was a common Roman silver coin. The denarius held significant value in the economic context of the New Testament, often representing a day's wages for a laborer. This coin is mentioned in several parables and teachings of Jesus, illustrating its importance in the daily life and economy of the time.

Biblical References:

1. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16): In this parable, Jesus describes a landowner who hires laborers for his vineyard. The landowner agrees to pay each worker a denarius for a day's work. "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius" (Matthew 20:8-9). This parable highlights the denarius as a standard wage for a day's labor, emphasizing themes of generosity and the kingdom of heaven.

2. The Tribute to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26): The denarius is also central to the account where the Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus asks them to show Him the coin used for the tax, a denarius, and then famously replies, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s" (Mark 12:17). This incident underscores the denarius as a symbol of Roman authority and taxation.

3. The Anointing at Bethany (John 12:1-8): In the account of Mary anointing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, Judas Iscariot questions the act, suggesting that the perfume could have been sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor. "Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (John 12:5). This reference provides insight into the purchasing power of the denarius, indicating that it was a substantial amount of money.

Cultural and Economic Context:

The denarius was a key element of the Roman monetary system and was widely circulated throughout the Roman Empire, including Judea. It was typically made of silver and bore the image of the reigning emperor, which is why it was used in the discussion about paying taxes to Caesar. The value of the denarius as a day's wage is consistent with historical records and provides a framework for understanding the economic conditions of the time.

In the context of Jesus' teachings, the denarius serves as a tangible representation of fairness, justice, and the value of labor. It also acts as a tool for illustrating deeper spiritual truths, such as the generosity of God and the call to prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth.

Theological Implications:

The use of the denarius in Jesus' parables and teachings invites reflection on the nature of God's kingdom, where divine generosity often defies human expectations of fairness and merit. The denarius, as a day's wage, becomes a symbol of God's provision and the sufficiency of His grace. It challenges believers to trust in God's economy, where the last can be first, and where the value of a person is not measured by material wealth but by their relationship with God.Matthew 20:2-14
And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Nave's Topical Index

The Labourers in the vineyard.
... And murmur'd that the generous lord To all one penny should accord. ... [1] The penny,
or denarius ... stamped with the image of the Roman Emperor, and worth about 16 ...
/.../mother stories from the new testament/the labourers in the vineyard.htm

Christ Teaching Liberality
... and made him a present that was worth four or ... I have just one other illustration
before closing this subject ... to others; and never would spend a penny for himself ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching liberality.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... other strong arguments, if he be an antagonist worth the taking ... it over and over,
and that for a penny profit. ... for he that cannot abide to keep one day holy to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... 'One day, amongst all the sermons our parson made, his subject was, to ... Am I one of
the elect? or has the day of grace been suffered to pass by never to return? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Moody's Stories
... Do you suppose that this earth would be worth living on ... had murdered five other people,
and from one end of ... out her pocketbook, and handed over her last penny. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/moodys stories.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... exalting the Holy Scriptures, and largely showing the worth, excellency, and ... sorts
of new suits and dainty dishes every day; enough to make one who minds ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... In these words many things are worth the noting ... are most of the great professors
of this our day! ... to pray, by their words and carriages there, one would almost ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... of the weight of salvation, of the worth of salvation ... Will this go for righteousness
in the day of God ... is insinuated by the text, were in, among, one with, and ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... to see the fruits and effects of sin; light, to see the truth and worth of the ... may
conceive, that God by making her so, did it to show he would one day make a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Doctrine
... Consider thou hast a precious soul, more worth than the ... be deprived also of you both
in one day?" hinting unto ... death to follow after as the wages thereof; for ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

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