1Looking up, he saw the wealthy casting their gifts into the treasury. [21:2] He also saw a certain utterly destitute widow casting in two small copper coins. [21:3] He said, "Truly I tell you, this destitute widow has cast in more than all of them. [21:4] For all of these gave their gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her complete lack has put in all she had to live on."
LUK 21:1-4
The Poor Widowʼs Offering
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Jewish temple, the treasury was a collection point for offerings, often located in the Court of Women. Wealthy donors would publicly deposit large sums, a practice tied to the honor-shame economy, where conspicuous giving enhanced one’s social standing. The widow, described as (utterly destitute) and (on the brink of survival), contrasts sharply with these donors. Her offering of two , the smallest denomination, was practically worthless in monetary terms but symbolically significant. In a culture where widows were among the most vulnerable, lacking male protection and economic stability, her act of giving all she had would have been seen as extraordinary. Jesus’ observation underscores the inversion of societal values: her sacrifice, though unnoticed by others, is deemed greater than the surplus gifts of the wealthy. This critique aligns with broader Jewish prophetic traditions that prioritize justice for the marginalized over ritualized displays of piety.
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How other translations render this
LUK 21:1
- KJV
- And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
- BSB
- Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
- Koinōnos
- Looking up, he saw the wealthy casting their gifts into the treasury.
LUK 21:2
- KJV
- And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
- BSB
- and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
- Koinōnos
- He also saw a certain utterly destitute widow casting in two small copper coins.
LUK 21:3
- KJV
- And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
- BSB
- “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
- Koinōnos
- He said, "Truly I tell you, this destitute widow has cast in more than all of them.
LUK 21:4
- KJV
- For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
- BSB
- For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
- Koinōnos
- For all of these gave their gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her complete lack has put in all she had to live on.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 21:2
- widow:The word translated 'widow' here refers to a woman who has lost her husband and is often in a vulnerable social and economic position, relying on others for support.
- in:The term used here for 'in' refers to a very small copper coin, the smallest denomination in circulation, emphasizing the insignificance of the amount.
LUK 21:3
- <the>:The word translated 'poor' here describes someone who is utterly destitute, a beggar who relies entirely on alms for survival, not merely someone of low income.
LUK 21:4
- out of:The phrase 'out of' here implies that her offering came from her complete lack or deficiency, highlighting that she gave from what she truly needed, not from surplus.