Luke 21:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box,

NIV: As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.

NASB: Now He looked up and saw the wealthy putting their gifts into the temple treasury.

CSB: He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.

NLT: While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.

KJV: And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

NKJV: And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,

Luke transitions from the ungodly religious leaders to the temple. This introduces Jesus' prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem. Luke 20 recounted an authority struggle between Jesus and the religious leaders. Jesus overcame those challenges, then warned His audience about the unethical, exploitative behavior of the scribes (Luke 20:45–47). One of His comments is that they "devour widows' houses" (Luke 20:47).

People could put donations for the temple in one of thirteen trumpet-shaped receptacles or in the room where the treasure was kept: both in the Court of Women. Mark notes, "Many rich people put in large sums" (Mark 12:41). We don't know who "the rich" are in Luke's specific context. They may include some of the aforementioned scribes. Jesus sees a foil for them in a destitute woman who offers two small copper coins. In God's economy, her offering is greater than that of the rich because it is all she has (Luke 21:3–4). She holds nothing back, despite her need.

Luke skips the part where Jesus and the disciples leave the temple (Mark 13:1). Instead, he goes straight from talking about the temple treasury to talking about the temple, itself. Although the buildings are beautiful, they will be destroyed. That opens the conversation for Jesus to prophesy about the destruction of Jerusalem, the end times, and His return. As He often does, Jesus applies the warning with a call for His followers to be vigilant and remain faithful (Luke 21:5–36).

Luke 21:1–4 completes Jesus' defense of His authority after the triumphal entry (Luke 19:28—20:47). He singles out a poor widow as a counterpoint to the religious leaders He warned about earlier (Luke 20:45–47). The scribes crave attention, while the widow acts quietly. The scribes steal widows' homes, while this widow gives her last two coins for the temple treasury. With His authority sufficiently defended, Jesus goes on to warn the disciples about their coming hardships (Luke 21:5–36). The widow is also mentioned in Mark 12:41–44.

Luke 21 records the last of Jesus' teachings before the Last Supper, His arrest, and His crucifixion. Luke 21:1–4 fits well with the themes of Luke 19:28—20:47. Luke 21:5–11 describes how false messiahs, war, and natural disasters will become normal. Luke 21:12–24 prophesies challenges prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Luke 21:25–28 moves to the tribulation. Luke 21:29–36 is Jesus' instructions about the disciples' lives and ministries with respect to the delayed kingdom. Luke 21:37–38 is a note about Jesus' schedule in the days between the triumphal entry and His arrest.

Luke 21 finishes the presentation of Jesus in Jerusalem as the Messiah of the Jews. This lays a foundation for the Passion Narrative: the final days before Jesus is crucified. Luke 19:28—20:47 covered most of the discussions about His authority which are completed with His words about the widow's sacrificial offering (Luke 21:1–4). The rest of the chapter records His warnings to the disciples about the violence they, the temple, Jerusalem, and the world will face between His ascension and His return. Matthew 24 and Mark 12:41—13:37 cover the same material.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.