Devine Scripture

Luke 21:3

What does Luke 21:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 21:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 21:3 means

Jesus declares that the poor widow's offering, though outwardly small, surpasses the gifts of all the rich contributors. His statement emphasizes that the worth of a gift is not measured by its monetary value, but by the proportion it represents of what the giver possesses and the sacrifice involved. He challenges the conventional understanding of generosity, focusing on the internal disposition rather than external appearances. This principle remains a vital lesson for believers on giving with a full heart.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Truly I say to you, This poor widow has given more than all of them:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he said, `Truly I say to you, that this poor widow did cast in more than all;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said: Verily, I say to you that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast in more than all;

Context

This verse contains Jesus' direct evaluation of the widow's offering, contrasting it sharply with the gifts of the wealthy He observed in the preceding verses. It serves as the interpretive key to the entire interaction at the temple treasury. This profound statement leads directly into His explanation in verse 4, clarifying the spiritual principle behind His assessment and concluding this short but impactful lesson on true generosity.

v.2And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

v.3This passage

v.4for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 12:44

    Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.

  • Acts 4:27

    for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,

  • Luke 4:25

    But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land;

  • Mark 14:8

    She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6

    But thisI say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

  • Luke 9:27

    But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 21

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 21.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 21:3.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary