Luke 21:3
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
Luke 21:3 · King James Version
Meaning
When Jesus observed a poor widow putting two small coins into the temple treasury, he made a profound statement that her contribution was worth more in the eyes of God than all the rich people who had given larger amounts. This illustrates the concept of sacrificial giving, where the value of a gift is not measured by its monetary value, but by the heart and intentions behind it. In this context, the widow's offering, although small in material wealth, was considered great because it represented a significant portion of her livelihood, while the rich people gave out of their abundance. This teaches us that God values our sincerity and willingness to give, rather than the amount we give. It is a reminder that God looks beyond outward appearances and values the motives and attitudes of our hearts. This verse encourages us to be generous and willing to give sacrificially, knowing that God sees and appreciates the sincerity of our actions.
Theological Overview
One possible theological interpretation of the verse "And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all" is that Jesus is highlighting the value of sacrificial giving over merely giving out of abundance. In this passage from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is observing people giving offerings at the temple. While many wealthy individuals were making large donations, it was the poor widow who caught Jesus' attention by giving only two small coins, which represented all she had. Through this act, Jesus teaches the importance of giving from the heart and giving sacrificially, regardless of the amount. This highlights the widow's faith and willingness to trust in God's provision despite her own poverty. This verse reminds us that God values the sincerity and sacrifice in our giving more than the actual quantity.
Luke 21:3 in other translations
American Standard Version
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all:
World English Bible
He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,
Douay-Rheims
And he said: Verily, I say to you that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he sayd, Of a trueth I say vnto you, that this poore widowe hath cast in more then they all.