In biblical times, the term "pence" is often used in English translations of the Bible to refer to a small unit of currency. The word "pence" is derived from the Latin "pensus," meaning "weighed," and is commonly associated with the Roman denarius, a silver coin that was widely used during the New Testament period. The denarius was the standard day's wage for a laborer, as seen in the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:2): "He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard."

The use of "pence" in the Bible is primarily found in the context of parables and teachings of Jesus, where it serves as a relatable measure of value and economic exchange for His audience. For instance, in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:28), the servant who was forgiven a massive debt by his master refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owed him "a hundred denarii." This parable illustrates the importance of mercy and forgiveness, emphasizing the disparity between the servant's forgiven debt and the debt he refused to forgive.

In Luke 10:35 , the Good Samaritan gives two denarii to the innkeeper to care for the injured man, demonstrating the Samaritan's generosity and compassion. The use of "pence" here underscores the practical and sacrificial nature of the Samaritan's actions, as he provides for the man's needs without expecting anything in return.

The concept of "pence" also appears in the account of the anointing of Jesus at Bethany. In John 12:5 , Judas Iscariot questions the use of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus, suggesting that it could have been sold for "three hundred denarii" and given to the poor. This incident highlights the tension between material value and spiritual devotion, as well as Judas's misguided priorities.

In the broader biblical narrative, the use of "pence" and similar monetary terms serves to ground spiritual teachings in the everyday economic realities of the time. It provides a tangible reference point for understanding the value of labor, generosity, and forgiveness, while also challenging believers to consider the eternal significance of their actions and attitudes toward wealth and possessions.1. (n.) pl. of Penny. See Penny.

2. (n.) Plural of Penny.

PENCE; PENNY

pens.

See MONEY.

1220. denarion -- denarius (a Roman coin)
... coin) NASB Word Usage denarii (7), denarius (9). denarius, pence, penny. Of Latin
origin; a denarius (or ten asses) -- pence, penny(-worth). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1220.htm - 6k

The Servant who Owed a Hundred Pence.
... Book XIV. 11. The Servant Who Owed a Hundred Pence. Only, though he cannot
pay the talents, for he has lost them, he has a wife ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 the servant who owed.htm

The Parable of the Householder. A Sermon, by Bishop Latimer.
... Here is declared unto us that some laboured the whole day, which are hired for a
penny, that is of our money ten pence: for like as we have a piece of money ...
/.../the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the parable of the householder.htm

A Story of a Barber's Payments, Introduced for the Sake of ...
... "There was," said he, "in a certain city a very clever barber, who used to shave
everybody for three pence and by getting this poor and wretched sum for his ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xiii a story of.htm

What if He Approached Baptism Itself in Deceit? were his Sins ...
... But when he refused to have pity on his fellow-servant who owed him a hundred
pence, the Lord commanded him to pay what He had forgiven him. ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 12 18 what.htm

St. Ambrose Shows by Instances that the Places in which those ...
... Lastly, it was not without meaning that Judas Iscariot valued that ointment at three
hundred pence, which seems certainly by the statement of the price itself ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii st ambrose shows.htm

"She Hath done what She Could. "
... made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and
have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter vii she hath done.htm

Jesus Answered and Said unto Him, Simon, I have Something to Say ...
... [1073] Jesus said unto him, There were two debtors [Arabic, p.58] to one creditor;
and one of them owed five hundred pence, and the other [3] owed fifty pence. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xv jesus answered and.htm

The Two Debtors
... LUKE Chaps. I to XII THE TWO DEBTORS. 'There was a certain creditor which had two
debtors; the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.42. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the two debtors.htm

Philemon i. 3-Jan
... Since even that servant who was unmerciful to his fellow-servants, until he demanded
the hundred pence, had the grace of his master abiding on him. ...
/.../homily i philemon i 3-jan.htm

Love's Prodigality Censured and vindicated
... Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray
Him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture i/loves prodigality censured and vindicated.htm

Pence (8 Occurrences)
... of Penny. See Penny. 2. (n.) Plural of Penny. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PENCE; PENNY. pens. See MONEY. Multi-Version Concordance Pence (8 Occurrences). ...
/p/pence.htm - 9k

Reduce (13 Occurrences)
... into another without altering their value, or from one denomination into others
of the same value; as, to reduce pounds, shillings, and pence to pence, or to ...
/r/reduce.htm - 11k

Pencil (1 Occurrence)

/p/pencil.htm - 8k

Penalty (20 Occurrences)

/p/penalty.htm - 12k

Value (138 Occurrences)
... (ASV BBE RSV). John 6:7 Philip made answer, Bread to the value of two hundred
pence would not be enough even to give everyone a little. (BBE). ...
/v/value.htm - 37k

Owest (4 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants,
which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by ...
/o/owest.htm - 7k

Laid (552 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants,
which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by ...
/l/laid.htm - 35k

Levy (19 Occurrences)
... n.) A name formerly given in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to the Spanish
real of one eighth of a dollar (or 12/ cents), valued at eleven pence when the ...
/l/levy.htm - 13k

Fellowservants (4 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants,
which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by ...
/f/fellowservants.htm - 7k

Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... for two pence"); their quickly picking up seeds from the ground is made to illustrate
the influences which render "the word" powerless (Matthew 13:4); their ...
/f/fowl.htm - 36k

Pence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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