Devine Scripture

Luke 21:4

What does Luke 21:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 21:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 21:4 means

Jesus explains the reason for His assessment: the rich gave from their abundance, representing a surplus that did not impact their livelihood, while the poor widow gave all she had to live on. Their giving involved no sacrifice, but her contribution represented her entire means of support. This demonstrates that true liberality is not about the amount given, but the degree of personal sacrifice and trust in God's provision. Her radical trust stands in stark contrast to the easy generosity of the wealthy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For they gave out of their wealth, having more than enough for themselves: but she, even out of her need, has put in all her living.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for all these out of their superabundance did cast into the gifts to God, but this one out of her want, all the living that she had, did cast in.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For all these have of their abundance cast into the offerings of God: but she of her want hath cast in all the living that she had.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for all these out of their abundance have cast into the gifts [ofGod]; but she out of her need has cast in all the living which she had.

Context

This verse provides the theological explanation for Jesus' striking statement in verse 3. It delves into the motivations and circumstances of both the rich givers and the poor widow, solidifying the lesson on sacrificial giving. This explanation brings the short narrative of the temple offerings to a close, immediately preceding a dramatic shift to a new teaching about the temple's destruction and the signs of the end times.

v.3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all:

v.4This passage

v.5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said,

Cross references

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

  • Acts 4:34

    For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

  • Acts 2:44

    And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

  • Luke 15:12

    and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion ofthy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

  • Luke 8:43

    And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,

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