and He sawJesus, in His divine omniscience, observes the actions and hearts of individuals. This moment occurs in the temple courts, a place bustling with activity, yet Jesus notices the seemingly insignificant act of the widow. His ability to see beyond the surface reflects His role as the ultimate judge and discerner of hearts, as seen in
1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances.
a poor widow
Widows in biblical times often represented the most vulnerable members of society, lacking financial support and social standing. The Law of Moses provided specific instructions to care for widows (Deuteronomy 10:18,James 1:27), highlighting God's concern for them. This widow's poverty underscores her faith and dependence on God, reminiscent of the widow of Zarephath in1 Kings 17, who also demonstrated great faith in dire circumstances.
put in
The act of giving, especially in the temple, was a significant part of Jewish worship and religious duty. The temple treasury was located in the Court of Women, where both men and women could contribute. The widow's action of putting in her offering signifies her participation in worship and her willingness to give despite her lack.
two small copper coins
These coins, known as lepta, were the smallest denomination in circulation, equivalent to a fraction of a day's wage. The widow's offering, though monetarily insignificant, represents a profound sacrifice, as she gave all she had to live on. This act of giving all she had is a powerful illustration of total surrender and trust in God, paralleling the call to discipleship where Jesus asks for complete devotion (Luke 14:33).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in this passage, observing and teaching in the temple.
2.
Poor WidowA woman of humble means who contributes two small copper coins to the temple treasury, demonstrating profound faith and sacrifice.
3.
TempleThe setting of this event, a place of worship and teaching in Jerusalem where Jesus often taught.
4.
DisciplesAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, they are present as Jesus uses this moment to teach them about true giving.
5.
TreasuryThe location within the temple where offerings were collected, serving as the backdrop for this lesson on sacrificial giving.
Teaching Points
Sacrificial GivingThe widow's offering teaches us that true giving is measured by the heart and sacrifice, not the amount.
Faith Over WealthHer act demonstrates that faith and trust in God are more valuable than material wealth.
God Sees the HeartJesus' observation of the widow's offering reminds us that God sees and values the intentions of our hearts.
Trust in God's ProvisionLike the widow, we are called to trust in God's provision, even when we have little.
Inspiring GenerosityHer example encourages us to give generously and selflessly, regardless of our financial situation.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 21:2?
2.How does Luke 21:2 challenge our understanding of true generosity and giving?
3.What can we learn from the widow's offering about sacrificial giving today?
4.How does Luke 21:2 connect with 2 Corinthians 9:7 on cheerful giving?
5.In what ways can we emulate the widow's faith in our daily lives?
6.How does the widow's offering inspire trust in God's provision over material wealth?
7.What does Luke 21:2 reveal about Jesus' view on wealth and generosity?
8.How does the widow's offering in Luke 21:2 challenge modern views on giving?
9.Why is the widow's contribution significant in the context of Luke 21:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 21?
11.What lesson does the widow's mite teach about giving?
12.What is worth doing even if done poorly?
13.What does the Bible say about giving to the poor?
14.What are the Bible's teachings on generosity?What Does Luke 21:2 Mean
He saw“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw…” (Luke 21:1–2).
• The Lord’s gaze is intentional; He notices individual actions in the midst of crowds, just as He did when He called Zacchaeus by name (Luke 19:5).
• Scripture affirms that “the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9), reminding us that nothing escapes His attention, whether public or private (Matthew 6:4).
• In this moment Jesus is not merely watching external movements; He is discerning hearts, as in1 Samuel 16:7 where God looks on the heart rather than appearance.
a poor widow“…a poor widow…” (Luke 21:2).
• Widows were among the most vulnerable in Israel (Deuteronomy 24:19–21;James 1:27).
• Her poverty is emphasized: she lacks earthly security yet still approaches God with confidence. Comparably, the widow of Zarephath gave her last meal to Elijah (1 Kings 17:8–16), demonstrating trust in God’s provision.
• Jesus had just warned about leaders who “devour widows’ houses” (Luke 20:47); now He highlights a widow who, despite mistreatment by the system, remains faithful.
put in“…put in…” (Luke 21:2).
• Her act is deliberate. She “put in” rather than merely dropping coins; the verb underscores conscious dedication, echoingRomans 12:1’s call to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice.”
• Giving is worship, not perfunctory duty (2 Corinthians 9:7). The widow’s movement toward the treasury mirrors the Macedonians who “gave themselves first to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5).
• By contributing at the temple, she recognizes God’s rightful claim over her resources, much like believers inActs 4:34–35 who laid money at the apostles’ feet.
two small copper coins“…two small copper coins.” (Luke 21:2).
• The amount is tiny—yet Jesus values it above the rich gifts (Luke 21:3–4;Mark 12:41–44). Heaven’s economy measures sacrifice, not size.
• She gave “all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4), paralleling the boy’s five loaves and two fish offered to Jesus (John 6:9); when placed in God’s hands, little becomes much.
• Her two coins teach:
– Stewardship is proportional to trust, not wealth.
– Generosity flows from gratitude, not surplus.
– Faith expresses itself in tangible action (James 2:17).
summaryJesus noticed a vulnerable woman who, in faith, placed her meager two coins into the temple treasury. While the sum was insignificant by human standards, it represented wholehearted devotion. The episode teaches that God sees and esteems sacrificial trust over outward show; He values the heart that gives all, confident that He Himself is the giver of every good gift.
(2)
A certain poor widow.--St. Luke's word for "poor" differs from St. Mark's, and seems to have been carefully chosen to express the fact that the widow, though "needy," and compelled to work for her scanty maintenance, was yet not a "beggar," as the more common word for "poor" suggested. It is not found elsewhere in the New Testament.
Verse 2. -
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. The mite (
λεπτόν) was the smallest current coin. Two of these little pieces were the smallest legal offering which could be dropped into the "trumpet." But this sum, as the Heart-reader, who knew all things, tells us (ver. 4), was
every particle of money she had in the world; and it was this splendid generosity on the part of the poor solitary widow which won the Lord's praise, which has touched the hearts of so many generations since, which has stirred up in so many hearts an admiration of an act so strangely beautiful, but well-nigh inimitable.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
andδέ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.He sawεἶδεν(eiden)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3708:Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.aτινα(tina)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.poorπενιχρὰν(penichran)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3998:Poor, needy. Prolongation from the base of penes; necessitous.widowχήραν(chēran)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5503:Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.putβάλλουσαν(ballousan)Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 906:(a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.inἐκεῖ(ekei)Adverb
Strong's 1563:(a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.twoδύο(dyo)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1417:Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.small copper coins.λεπτὰ(lepta)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3016:Neuter of a derivative of the same as lepis; something scaled, i.e. A small coin.
Links
Luke 21:2 NIVLuke 21:2 NLTLuke 21:2 ESVLuke 21:2 NASBLuke 21:2 KJV
Luke 21:2 BibleApps.comLuke 21:2 Biblia ParalelaLuke 21:2 Chinese BibleLuke 21:2 French BibleLuke 21:2 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Luke 21:2 He saw a certain poor widow casting (Luke Lu Lk) 
