Luke 21:3

KJV

And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G2036}, Of a truth {G230} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, that {G3754} this {G3778} poor {G4434} widow {G5503} hath cast {G906} in more than {G4119} they all {G3956}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others.

Berean Standard Bible

“Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.

American Standard Version

And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 21:3 captures Jesus's profound redefinition of generosity, revealing that the true value of an offering is not measured by its absolute amount but by the proportion it represents to the giver's total resources and, more significantly, the heart of sacrifice behind it. Observing contributions to the temple treasury, Jesus highlights a poor widow's two small coins as a greater offering than the large sums given by the wealthy, thereby challenging conventional human perceptions of worth and abundance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the short, powerful narrative often referred to as "The Widow's Mite," found in [Luke 21:1-4](/luke/21-1-4 "The Widow's Mite"). Immediately preceding this verse, [Luke 21:1-2](/luke/21-1-2 "Jesus Observes Offerings") describes Jesus sitting in the temple, observing various individuals, particularly many rich people, casting their contributions into the temple treasury chests. These chests were designated for the upkeep and services of the temple. The scene sets a stark visual contrast between the ostentatious giving of the wealthy and the humble, almost imperceptible, offering of a solitary, impoverished widow. Jesus’s declaration in verse 3 directly responds to this observation, providing a divine commentary on the true nature of giving. Following this passage, Jesus transitions into a discourse on the destruction of the temple and signs of the end times, making this brief encounter a poignant moment of spiritual insight amidst larger eschatological themes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The temple treasury in Jerusalem during Jesus's time was a prominent feature of Jewish life, serving as the central collection point for offerings, tithes, and taxes that supported the temple's operations, sacrifices, and charitable activities. There were thirteen trumpet-shaped collection chests, each designated for specific types of offerings. Wealthy individuals would often make public and substantial donations, which would have been visible and perhaps even announced, garnering social prestige. Widows in ancient Jewish society, however, were among the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, often lacking male protectors or independent means of support, making them dependent on charity or meager earnings. The "mites" (Greek: *lepta*) were the smallest copper coins in circulation, worth very little—two *lepta* together equaled a *quadrans*, the smallest Roman coin. The act of this widow, giving such a minuscule amount, would have gone unnoticed by most, underscoring the cultural backdrop where outward appearances and perceived wealth often dictated social standing and recognition.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **True Generosity and Sacrifice**, where Jesus redefines value not by quantity but by proportion and heart. The rich gave from their surplus, while the widow gave "all her living" ([Luke 21:4](/luke/21-4 "The Widow's Sacrifice")), emphasizing a radical, sacrificial commitment. Secondly, it highlights **God's Perspective vs. Man's Perspective**. While human observers would have been impressed by the large sums, Jesus's divine insight penetrates beyond outward appearances, valuing the heart and the true sacrifice involved. This resonates with the principle articulated in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "God Looks at the Heart"), where God declares He looks at the heart, not outward appearance. Finally, the widow's act profoundly demonstrates **Faith and Trust**. By relinquishing her entire means of sustenance, she was placing her complete reliance on God for her immediate and future provision, illustrating a deep, unwavering trust in divine care over earthly security, a theme consistent with Jesus's teachings on not worrying about material possessions in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Do Not Worry").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **truth (Greek, _alēthōs'_):** This adverb, derived from the Greek word for "true" or "real," signifies certainty and genuineness. When Jesus uses "Of a truth I say unto you," it underscores the absolute veracity and profound importance of His subsequent statement. It indicates that what He is about to reveal is not merely an observation but a divine, undeniable reality, challenging common assumptions and perceptions.
* **poor (Greek, _ptōchós'_):** This term describes a beggar or pauper, strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy. It implies a state of extreme destitution, often characterized by cringing or crouching, indicating a lack of resources and dependence on others. Unlike *penēs* (which refers to someone in straitened circumstances but still able to work), *ptōchós* highlights a person who is truly impoverished, lacking even basic necessities. This emphasizes the widow's dire economic situation and the immense sacrifice her offering represented.
* **widow (Greek, _chḗra'_):** This feminine noun refers to a woman who has lost her husband, literally or figuratively. In ancient society, widows were particularly vulnerable, often without legal or financial protection, and susceptible to exploitation. Their social status was precarious, making their survival dependent on family or charity. The identification of the woman as a "widow" immediately signals her disadvantaged position and amplifies the significance of her act of giving.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Of a truth I say unto you,"**: This opening phrase establishes Jesus's authority and the solemnity of His declaration. The phrase "Of a truth" (Greek: *alēthōs*) emphasizes the absolute certainty and profound importance of what He is about to reveal, signaling a divine insight that transcends human perception. It functions as an emphatic declaration, drawing the disciples' attention to a deeper spiritual reality.
* **"that this poor widow hath cast in"**: Jesus directs His disciples' attention to a specific individual – a "poor widow." The immediate contrast with the rich individuals mentioned in the preceding verses highlights her marginalized status and extreme poverty. The action "hath cast in" refers to her act of depositing money into the temple treasury, specifically two small copper coins (mites), as noted in the broader passage. This clause sets up the subject of Jesus's surprising evaluation.
* **"more than they all:"**: This is the startling conclusion of Jesus's statement. On the surface, it appears to be a numerical impossibility, as the rich had contributed much larger sums. However, Jesus's "more than" is not a quantitative measurement but a qualitative one, based on proportion, sacrifice, and the heart's intention. He implies that her offering, though monetarily small, surpassed all others in its spiritual value and the depth of its sacrifice, as it represented her entire livelihood.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [Luke 21:3](/luke/21-3 "The Widow's Greater Offering") is rich with several impactful literary devices. Foremost is **Contrast**, which is central to Jesus's teaching. He deliberately sets the "poor widow" against "they all" (the rich contributors), highlighting the stark difference in their economic status and, more importantly, the nature of their giving. This contrast serves to underscore the profound spiritual truth Jesus is conveying. There is also an element of **Irony** at play: what appears to be the least significant offering from a human perspective is declared by Jesus to be the most valuable. This subversion of expectations challenges conventional wisdom and reveals God's counter-cultural values. Furthermore, Jesus's statement "more than they all" can be understood as a form of **Hyperbole** used for emphasis. While not literally more in monetary value, it is hyperbolically "more" in terms of its spiritual weight, sacrificial depth, and the heart behind it. The **Symbolism** of the widow herself is also significant; she becomes an archetype of true faith, radical trust, and sacrificial devotion, embodying the kingdom values that prioritize internal disposition over external display.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 21:3 stands as a pivotal theological statement on the nature of true generosity and divine valuation. It fundamentally shifts the focus from the outward appearance and quantity of a gift to the internal disposition and sacrificial nature of the giver. This teaching underscores that God's economy operates on principles vastly different from human economies, valuing the heart, faith, and willingness to surrender everything over accumulated wealth or public display. The widow's act of giving her "all" is not merely about financial contribution but about complete trust and devotion, demonstrating that true worship involves offering our very selves and our security to God. This challenges believers to examine their own giving, not just of money, but of time, talents, and resources, asking whether their contributions truly reflect a heart of sacrifice and trust, or merely convenience from their abundance.

* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "God Loves a Cheerful Giver")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "God Looks at the Heart")
* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9-10 "Honor the Lord with Your Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of the poor widow challenges us to deeply examine our understanding of generosity, sacrifice, and God's perspective on our offerings. In a world that often measures success and significance by visible achievements and material wealth, Jesus's teaching provides a radical counter-narrative. It prompts us to consider whether our giving—of finances, time, talents, or even our very lives—is truly sacrificial, coming from a place of trust and devotion, or merely from our surplus. The widow's act was not about impressing others or gaining recognition; it was an act of profound faith, giving her all to God, trusting Him for her very next meal. This calls us to cultivate a heart that prioritizes God's kingdom and His will above personal security or comfort, recognizing that true abundance is found in complete reliance on Him. It encourages us to give cheerfully and wholeheartedly, knowing that God sees not the size of the gift, but the magnitude of the heart behind it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus's statement about the widow challenge my own understanding of generosity and sacrifice?**
* **In what areas of my life (finances, time, talents) am I giving out of convenience versus true sacrifice?**
* **What does it mean for me to fully trust God with "all my living," even when resources seem scarce?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that values God's perspective on giving more than human recognition or material security?**

### FAQ

**What were the "mites" the widow cast into the treasury?**

Answer: The "mites" (Greek: *lepta*) were the smallest copper coins in circulation in Judea during Jesus's time. They were of extremely low value. The Gospel of Mark specifies that the widow cast in "two mites, which make a farthing" ([Mark 12:42](/mark/12-42 "The Widow's Two Mites")), indicating that two *lepta* together were equivalent to a *quadrans*, the smallest Roman coin. This highlights the truly insignificant monetary value of her offering in the eyes of the world, yet its immense spiritual value in Jesus's eyes.

**Why did Jesus say the poor widow cast in "more than they all"?**

Answer: Jesus's statement was not a quantitative assessment but a qualitative one, based on the principle of proportional giving and the heart's intention. The rich gave out of their abundance, contributing only a fraction of their wealth, which did not require any personal sacrifice. The poor widow, however, gave "all the living that she had" ([Luke 21:4](/luke/21-4 "The Widow's Sacrifice")), meaning her entire means of sustenance. From Jesus's divine perspective, her act represented a complete and sacrificial surrender, demonstrating ultimate trust in God, which far outweighed the larger, yet less sacrificial, contributions of the wealthy.

**Does this story mean God expects us to give away everything we have?**

Answer: While the story highlights radical generosity and complete trust, it's not a prescriptive command for every believer to literally give away all their possessions. Instead, it teaches a principle: the *spirit* of sacrificial giving and absolute trust in God. It challenges us to examine our hearts and priorities, ensuring that our resources are held loosely and that we are willing to give generously, even sacrificially, as God leads. The emphasis is on the heart's posture of surrender and trust, valuing God's kingdom above personal security, rather than a legalistic requirement to impoverish oneself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound truth revealed in the story of the poor widow finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ Himself. The widow's act of giving her "all" – her very livelihood – foreshadows the ultimate, complete, and sacrificial giving of Christ on the cross. Just as the widow held nothing back, Jesus, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "Christ's Example of Giving")). He did not merely give from His abundance; He gave His entire life, laying it down as the perfect, spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") to take away the sin of the world. His sacrifice was not just a portion of His being, but the totality of His divine and human existence, offered out of boundless love for humanity. Furthermore, Jesus's ability to see the true value of the widow's offering, beyond outward appearances, reveals His divine insight and His kingdom values, which consistently prioritize the humble, the poor, and the sincere heart over worldly prestige and wealth. He embodies the very principle He taught: that true worth is found in selfless devotion and complete surrender, culminating in His own death and resurrection, through which He gave "more than they all" for our eternal salvation ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 8:12

For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.

Acts 10:34

¶ Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

2 Corinthians 8:2

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

2 Corinthians 8:3

For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;

Exodus 35:21

And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, [and] they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

Exodus 35:29

The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

Mark 12:43

And he called [unto him] his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: