Luke 21:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

NIV: All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

NASB: for they all contributed to the offering from their surplus; but she, from her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.'

CSB: For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on."

NLT: For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.'

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.

NKJV: for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Jesus is at the temple, watching people donate money for the treasury. He sees an extremely poor widow give her last two copper coins. The coins are worth so little that it was considered rude to donate only one to a beggar. What this woman gives is the tiniest possible amount with any value. But Jesus says she gave more than anyone else there (Luke 21:1–3).

The rich donate large amounts of money (Mark 12:41). Jesus says those large amounts are little compared to how much they still own afterwards. The widow gave "all she had to live on." The contrast is even greater considering what Jesus has just said about the religious leaders: "Beware of the scribes…who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation" (Luke 20:46–47).

It should be noted that Jesus isn't judging rich people; He's lifting up the widow. The wealthy men are free to do with their money what they please (Acts 5:4). Nor is Jesus saying that His followers are obligated to donate everything we have. That, as well, is the widow's choice. Jesus commends her for it, but He doesn't make her sacrifice a standard. The point of the story isn't to tell His followers to give everything; it's to think carefully before judging someone who gives little. And, to think of giving in terms of personal sacrifice, rather than just raw numbers.

The King James Version uses the word "penury," which means extreme poverty.

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.