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

LUKE 21:3KJV
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Luke 21:3 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“truth” Greek G230 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
  • Luke 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
  • John 7:40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

“widow” Greek G5503 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
  • Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
  • 1 Timothy 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

“poor” Greek G4434 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
  • John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

“than” Greek G4119 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 4:41 And many more believed because of his own word;
  • Acts 25:6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.