And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
LUKE 21:3KJVWhat does Luke 21:3 mean?
Luke 21:3 records Jesus saying that the poor widow, by giving her small offering, actually gave more than all the others who contributed larger amounts. Jesus points out that her gift, though small in money, was greater in value because of her situation.
In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples as they watch people putting offerings into the temple treasury. He notices a widow giving two small coins and uses this moment to teach that the true value of a gift is not measured by its size, but by the sacrifice and heart behind it. The verse highlights how Jesus sees beyond outward appearances to the reality of a person’s generosity.
The Greek behind Luke 21:3
- πτωχὴ (ptōchē, "poor"): This word means someone who is deeply needy or destitute, not just lacking a little but having almost nothing. It emphasizes the widow’s desperate situation and the significance of her giving.
- ἔβαλεν (ebalen, "cast"): This verb means to throw or put in, suggesting a deliberate act. The focus is not just on the amount, but on her intentional choice to give.
- πλεῖον (pleion, "more"): This word is comparative, showing that Jesus is weighing the widow’s gift as greater in some important way than all the others, despite the actual amount being less.
Why Luke 21:3 matters
- Luke 21:3 challenges the common assumption that bigger gifts are always more valuable, showing that Jesus values the heart and sacrifice behind what is given.
- The verse draws attention to people who are often overlooked, like widows, and shows that their actions matter deeply to God.
- This moment sets up a contrast in the wider passage between outward religious show and genuine devotion, helping readers see what Jesus truly honors.