What’s easily missed is the specific Greek word Luke uses for "poor." It suggests she wasn't just needy, but someone who had to work for her meager living, highlighting the immense sacrifice of her offering.
and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is at the temple, observing people giving offerings. While the rich are contributing large sums, He notices a destitute widow giving her absolute last two tiny coins, showing her profound devotion despite her extreme poverty. This observation sets the stage for Jesus to teach His disciples about the true value of sacrifice, emphasizing a generous heart over the amount given.
It’s easy to blend into the crowd, especially when you feel insignificant. But Jesus sees you. And He notices the heart behind your actions, not just the size of your gift.
In Luke 21, Jesus is observing people giving to the temple treasury. Many rich people are putting in large sums, likely from their abundance. But Jesus' eyes land on something different: 'a certain poor widow.'
The Power of Observation
This isn't just a casual glance; Jesus deliberately 'saw' her. He wasn't distracted by the flashing wealth of others. He was looking for the heart, for genuine devotion. This shows us that God's attention isn't limited to the prominent or the wealthy. He sees the humble, the overlooked, and the seemingly insignificant.
Value Beyond the Visible
What the widow gave was physically tiny – two small copper coins, the smallest denomination. To the world, it was almost nothing. But to Jesus, it was everything. He saw her sacrifice, her complete trust, and her all-in devotion.
What does it mean to give 'all you have'? For this widow, it meant entrusting her very survival to God's care.
The text highlights that this woman was not just 'poor' but specifically a 'widow.' In that society, a widow was particularly vulnerable, often lacking a male provider and social safety net. The word Luke uses for 'poor' here emphasizes her need and her toil for daily sustenance.
The 'Two Mites'
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The 'two mites' (or 'lepta') were the smallest coins in circulation. They were worth so little that Rabbis even had rules about not giving less than two. It represented the absolute minimum of monetary value.
Giving Her All
Jesus' commentary in the parallel passage in Mark (12:43-44) reveals the true significance: 'She out of her poverty has put in everything—all she had to live on.' This wasn't just a few extra coins; it was her entire livelihood. She gave not from her abundance, but from her desperate need, trusting God completely for her future.
Understand the original words
chēra · Greek Noun
A woman whose husband has died; in biblical usage, she is often categorized among the vulnerable, marginalized, and socially unprotected, whom God frequently commands His people to care for and defend.
lepton · Greek Noun
A Greek copper coin of the lowest denomination, often referred to as a 'lepton'; it represents the smallest unit of currency, symbolizing extreme financial insignificance in the eyes of the world.
perisseuō · Greek Noun
An excess, surplus, or large quantity of wealth that remains after one’s basic needs are met; in a biblical context, it often contrasts with sacrificial giving that requires trust and dependence on God.
hysterēma · Greek Noun
A state of extreme lack or deprivation; in biblical teaching, poverty is often associated with a position of total reliance upon God's provision rather than human security.
The event of the widow's offering occurred during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, just before His crucifixion. This powerful moment, recorded by Luke, highlights Jesus' keen observation of the Temple's activities and His deep understanding of true devotion, even amidst the grandeur of the Temple and the contributions of the wealthy.
c. 27 BC - AD 14
Reign of Augustus
Augustus established the Roman Empire, bringing a period of relative peace (Pax Romana) and standardizing currency and taxation across vast territories, including Judea.
c. 2 BC
Birth of Jesus
The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, Judea, marking the beginning of his earthly ministry.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. This period includes his entry into Jerusalem and conflict with religious authorities.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Last Week in Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, cleanses the Temple, and teaches His disciples. He observes people giving offerings at the Temple treasury.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and rises from the dead, forming the foundation of the Christian faith.
c. AD 60-62
Writing of Luke's Gospel
Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, writes his Gospel account in Rome or Caesarea, aiming to provide an orderly account of Jesus' life and teachings.
This passage directly precedes the account of the widow's mite in Mark's Gospel, setting the stage by describing the rich giving generously from their abundance, highlighting the contrast.
Luke 21:3Jesus explicitly uses this widow's offering to teach his disciples, emphasizing that her 'two mites' were worth more than all the others because she gave all she had.
1 Samuel 16:7This verse reminds us that God looks at the heart, not just outward appearances or the quantity of a gift, which is precisely what Jesus highlights in evaluating the widow's offering.
2 Corinthians 8:12This passage echoes the principle that 'if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have,' directly reflecting Jesus' commendation of the widow's sacrificial gift.
Hebrews 11:4While about Cain and Abel, it underscores the principle that God accepts offerings based on faith and righteousness, suggesting that the widow's sincere, faith-filled gift was pleasing to Him.
vincentLuke 21:2: "And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites."
PoorSee on Matthew 5:3.MitesSee on Mark 12:42.
bengelLuke 21:2: "And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites."
Luke 21:2 . Τινὰ καὶ χήραν ) He saw a certain woman, and her too a widow .
What’s easily missed is the specific Greek word Luke uses for "poor." It suggests she wasn't just needy, but someone who had to work for her meager living, highlighting the immense sacrifice of her offering.
Jesus is at the temple, observing people giving offerings. While the rich are contributing large sums, He notices a destitute widow giving her absolute last two tiny coins, showing her profound devotion despite her extreme poverty. This observation sets the stage for Jesus to teach His disciples about the true value of sacrifice, emphasizing a generous heart over the amount given.
Jesus is at the temple, observing people giving offerings. While the rich are contributing large sums, He notices a destitute widow giving her absolute last two tiny coins, showing her profound devotion despite her extreme poverty. This observation sets the stage for Jesus to teach His disciples about the true value of sacrifice, emphasizing a generous heart over the amount given.
"and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to liv…" — What’s easily missed is the specific Greek word Luke uses for "poor." It suggests she wasn't just needy, but someone who had to work for her meager living, highlighting the immense sacrifice of her o…
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Last reviewed October 2026
