Luke 21 2

Luke 21:2 kjv

And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Luke 21:2 nkjv

and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.

Luke 21:2 niv

He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.

Luke 21:2 esv

and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.

Luke 21:2 nlt

Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

Luke 21 verses

Luke 21 2 Meaning

Luke 21:2 describes Jesus observing a particularly poor widow offering two extremely small coins into the Temple treasury. This seemingly insignificant act becomes a profound demonstration of genuine faith and sacrificial generosity, which Jesus contrasts with the opulent contributions of the wealthy seen immediately before this event. The verse highlights that true value in giving is measured by the heart and the sacrifice involved, rather than the monetary amount.

Luke 21 2 Context

Luke 21:2 is situated within Jesus' final days in Jerusalem, just before His crucifixion. The immediate preceding verse, Luke 21:1, sets the scene by describing Jesus observing the wealthy making their contributions to the Temple treasury. This verse introduces a striking contrast to those affluent donors. The larger context of Luke's Gospel consistently emphasizes Jesus' compassion for the marginalized and his challenge to religious hypocrisy. This incident serves as an illustration of genuine devotion and a subtle critique of the prevailing religious system, particularly when read in light of Luke 20:47, where Jesus condemns religious leaders who "devour widows' houses." Historically, the Temple treasury contained "Corban" boxes for various types of offerings, and public giving was a common practice. Widows, as single women without male protectors, were typically among the most vulnerable and impoverished in ancient Jewish society, often relying on charity for survival.

Luke 21 2 Word analysis

• And he saw also

  • "He": Refers to Jesus. Jesus' keen observation indicates his spiritual discernment beyond mere outward appearances.
  • "also": Connects this observation to the previous one about the rich, emphasizing a deliberate comparison Jesus is making. Jesus deliberately drew attention to her amidst many.

• a certain poor widow

  • "certain": Points to her individuality. While unnamed, her specific situation is highlighted by Jesus.
  • "poor": Greek penichran (πενιχράν). This term denotes deep, struggling poverty, where one lacks even basic necessities and earns her living with difficulty. It stands in stark contrast to the "rich" (plousious) of Lk 21:1, implying she gave from destitution, not surplus.
  • "widow": Greek chēra (χήρα). In ancient society, widows were exceptionally vulnerable. Without a male provider and protector (husband or adult son), they often faced destitution and exploitation. Biblical law, however, commanded special care and justice for them.

• casting in thither

  • "casting in": The action of placing her offering.
  • "thither": Refers to the Temple treasury (the specific collection chests for contributions). It signifies a public act, observed by Jesus and others.

• two mites

  • "two": Denotes the minimal quantity. The fact it was "two" implies it was the smallest possible legal offering that could be counted, or that she deliberately gave two for a greater meaning (e.g., her entire, minuscule worth), as the parallel in Mark clarifies.
  • "mites": Greek lepta (λεπτά). The lepton was the smallest Jewish coin, typically a copper coin of almost negligible value, literally meaning "thin" or "peeled." Two lepta were equivalent to a quadrans (a Roman coin), which was 1/64 of a denarius (a typical day's wage for a laborer). This emphasizes the extreme insignificance of the monetary value from a worldly perspective.

Luke 21 2 Bonus section

The story of the widow's mites is not an injunction for all believers to impoverish themselves through giving, but rather an illustration of ultimate trust and sacrificial worship. It demonstrates that the impact of a gift is determined by the heart and the proportion relative to what one possesses, rather than its absolute financial worth. Jesus' valuing of the widow's gift also stands as an implicit critique of religious systems that might encourage lavish, self-glorifying donations while neglecting the true needs of the poor and the spirit of genuine charity. Her act was a complete yielding of control over her very sustenance, relying entirely on divine provision.

Luke 21 2 Commentary

Luke 21:2 offers a profound teaching through a vivid contrast. After observing wealthy individuals conspicuously depositing large sums into the Temple treasury, Jesus draws His disciples' attention to an impoverished widow making a barely noticeable offering. Her "two mites," despite being of incredibly low monetary worth, held immense spiritual value in Jesus' eyes. Unlike the rich, who gave from their abundance, this widow gave out of her dire poverty—literally "all the livelihood that she had" (as clarified in the parallel account in Mark 12:44).

Jesus' commendation of her act shifts the paradigm of generosity from quantitative measure to qualitative devotion. He teaches that God does not evaluate contributions based on their size or outward impression, but on the proportion of sacrifice involved and the underlying motivation of the giver's heart. Her humble offering symbolized total trust in God's provision, sacrificial love, and authentic worship, devoid of any desire for human recognition. This event powerfully challenges common perceptions of wealth, poverty, and religious piety, serving as a timeless reminder that true giving stems from a spirit of surrender and sincere devotion to God.