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's bold statement isn't just about generosity; it's about God's unique perspective on value. He's pointing out that God doesn't measure giving by the amount put in, but by what's left behind, highlighting the widow's radical trust and sacrifice.
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 teaching in the Temple, observing people give offerings to the treasury. He points out how many wealthy individuals are giving large amounts, but then his attention is captured by a poor widow who gives only two small coins. Jesus then calls his disciples to him to highlight that this widow's seemingly insignificant offering is actually more valuable than all the others combined, based on what she sacrificed.
We often think God looks at the size of our donations or the grandness of our gestures. But what if His focus is on something else entirely?
Jesus highlights a crucial truth: God's evaluation of our giving isn't based on the amount, but on the proportion it represents of what we have. The rich men gave from their abundance, perhaps a large sum in absolute terms, but a small fraction of their wealth. This widow, however, gave 'all her living'—everything she possessed. Her offering, though tiny in worldly value, was immense in devotion because it represented her complete trust and willingness to surrender all to God.
Do you ever feel like your contributions are too small to matter? This story offers powerful encouragement for those who give sacrificially.
Jesus doesn't just point out the widow's sacrifice to shame the rich; He uses her as a profound teaching moment for His disciples. This serves as an incredible encouragement to the poor and to anyone who feels they have little to offer. It assures them that their faithful, sacrificial giving is seen and valued by God, perhaps even more than the large gifts of the wealthy. Their 'all' is a treasure in God's eyes, demonstrating a faith that trusts Him to provide.
Understand the original words
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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.
Jesus' words about the widow's offering highlight a timeless truth: God values the heart and the proportion of sacrifice far more than the amount given, a perspective that challenged the conventional measure of wealth and piety in His day and still does today.
c. 20 BC - 30 AD
Temple Treasury System in Jerusalem
The Second Temple in Jerusalem contained a complex system of 'treasury' chests (corbanot) where worshippers could deposit freewill offerings for various religious purposes.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches and Observes in the Temple
Jesus spent significant time teaching in the Temple courts during the final week of His life, observing the people and their interactions with the sacred space and its offerings.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction
Shortly after observing the offerings, Jesus foretold the utter destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, a prophecy that would deeply resonate with His followers in the coming decades.
c. 62 AD
Jewish Revolt Escalates
Tensions between Jews and Romans intensified, leading to widespread unrest and skirmishes that foreshadowed the full-scale rebellion against Roman rule.
70 AD
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple
The Roman legions under Titus besieged and conquered Jerusalem, brutally sacking the city and burning the Second Temple to the ground, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy.
This passage echoes the principle that God values a willing heart and a proportional offering over sheer amount, much like the widow's small gift was worth more than the rich men's larger sums.
Mark 12:41-44This provides a parallel account of the same event, emphasizing Jesus observing the treasury and highlighting the widow's exceptional sacrifice. It reinforces the lesson on the true measure of giving.
1 Samuel 16:7Just as God looks at the heart, not outward appearances, Jesus looks beyond the monetary value of the widow's offering to the depth of her devotion and sacrificial love.
Proverbs 3:9-10This proverb speaks to honoring God with our first and best possessions, a principle beautifully exemplified by the widow who gave all she had, even her livelihood, demonstrating ultimate trust.
vincentLuke 21:3: "And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:"
This poor widowSee on Mark 12:43.
bengelLuke 21:3: "And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:"
[3. Ἀληθῶς , of a truth, in real fact ) Luke very frequently coincides with Mark; but Mark loves Hebrew modes of expression more than Luke does. Luke employs the Greek ἀληθῶς more frequently than the Hebrew ἀμήν . So the rest of the Evangelists are liberal in their employment of the term Rabbi , which Luke never uses. As Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles; so Luke, the companion of Paul,…
Jesus's bold statement isn't just about generosity; it's about God's unique perspective on value. He's pointing out that God doesn't measure giving by the amount put in, but by what's left behind, highlighting the widow's radical trust and sacrifice.
Jesus is teaching in the Temple, observing people give offerings to the treasury. He points out how many wealthy individuals are giving large amounts, but then his attention is captured by a poor widow who gives only two small coins. Jesus then calls his disciples to him to highlight that this widow's seemingly insignificant offering is actually more valuable than all the others combined, based on what she sacrificed.
Jesus is teaching in the Temple, observing people give offerings to the treasury. He points out how many wealthy individuals are giving large amounts, but then his attention is captured by a poor widow who gives only two small coins. Jesus then calls his disciples to him to highlight that this widow's seemingly insignificant offering is actually more valuable than all the others combined, based on what she sacrificed.
"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.”" — Jesus's bold statement isn't just about generosity; it's about God's unique perspective on value. He's pointing out that God doesn't measure giving by the amount put in, but by what's left behind, hi…
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Last reviewed October 2026