LUK 21

Luke 21:3

WEB

He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,

BSB

“Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.

KJV

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

Matthew Henry

Verses 1–4

Luke 21:1–4

This short passage of story we had before in Mark. It is thus recorded twice, to teach us, 1. That charity to the poor is a main matter in religion. Our Lord Jesus took all occasions to commend it and recommend it. He had just mentioned the barbarity of the scribes, who devoured poor widows (ch. 20); and perhaps this is designed as an aggravation of it, that the poor widows were the best benefactors to the public funds, of which the scribes had the disposal. 2. That Jesus Christ has his eye upon us, to observe what we give to the poor, and what we contribute to works of piety and charity. Christ, though intent upon his preaching, looked up, to see what gifts were cast into the treasury, Luk 21:1. He observes whether we give largely and liberally, in proportion to what we have, or whether we be sneaking and paltry in it; nay, his eye goes further, he observes whether we give charitably and with a willing mind, or grudgingly and with reluctance. This should make us afraid of coming short of our duty in this matter; men may be deceived with excuses which Christ knows to be frivolous. And this should encourage us to be abundant in it, without desiring that men should know it; it is enough that Christ does; he sees in secret, and will reward openly. 3. That Christ observes and accepts the charity of the poor in a particular manner. Those that have nothing to give may yet do a great deal in charity by ministering to the poor, and helping them, and begging for them, that cannot help themselves, or beg for themselves. But here was one that was herself poor and yet gave what little she had to the treasury. It was but two mites, which make a farthing; but Christ magnified it as a piece of charity exceeding all the rest: She has cast in more than they all. Christ does not blame her for indiscretion, in giving what she wanted herself, nor for vanity in giving among the rich to the treasury; but commended her liberality, and her willingness to part with what little she had for the glory of God, which proceeded from a belief of and dependence upon God's providence to take care of her. Jehovah-jireh - the Lord will provide. 4. That, whatever may be called the offerings of God, we ought to have a respect for, and to our power, yea, and beyond our power, to contribute cheerfully to. These have cast in unto the offerings of God. What is given to the support of the ministry and the gospel, to the spreading and propagating of religion, the education of youth, the release of prisoners, the relief of widows and strangers, and the maintenance of poor families, is given to the offerings of God, and it shall be so accepted and recompensed.

Cross-references: Luke 21:1

Greek interlinear

G2532

καίkaí/kahee/

and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet

Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

G3004

λέγωlégō/leg'-o/

ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter

Derivation: a primary verb;

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean

KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

See also: G2036, G5346, G4483, G2980.

G230

ἀληθῶςalēthōs/al-ay-thoce'/

indeed, surely, of a surety, truly, of a (in) truth, verily, very

Derivation: adverb from G227;

truly

KJV: indeed, surely, of a surety, truly, of a (in) truth, verily, very.

See also: G227.

G4771

σύ/soo/

thou

Derivation: the personal pronoun of the second person singular;

thou

KJV: thou.

See also G4571, G4671, G4675; and for the plural G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

See also: G4675, G4571, G4671, G5209, G5210, G5213, G5216.

G3754

ὅτιhóti/hot'-ee/

as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why

Derivation: neuter of G3748 as conjunction;

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.

See also: G3748.

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G5503

χήραchḗra/khay'-rah/

widow

Derivation: feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of G5490 through the idea of deficiency;

a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively

KJV: widow.

See also: G5490.

G4434

πτωχόςptōchós/pto-khos'/

beggar(-ly), poor

Derivation: from πτώσσω (to crouch);

akin to G4422 and the alternate of G4098); a beggar (as cringing), i.e. pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas G3993 properly means only straitened circumstances in private), literally (often as noun) or figuratively (distressed)

KJV: beggar(-ly), poor.

See also: G4422, G4098, G3993.

G3778

οὗτοςhoûtos/hoo'-tos/

he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who

, including nominative masculine plural οὗτοι , nominative feminine singular αὕτη , and nominative feminine plural αὕται

Derivation: from the article G3588 and G846;

the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated)

KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.

See also: G846, G3588.

G4183

πολύςpolýs/pol-oos'/

abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly

Derivation: including the forms from the alternate πολλός;

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

KJV: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.

Compare G4118, G4119.

See also: G4118, G4119.

G3956

πᾶςpâs/pas/

all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever

Derivation: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word;

all, any, every, the whole

KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

G906

βάλλωbállō/bal'-lo/

arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust

Derivation: a primary verb;

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

KJV: arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust.

Compare G4496.

See also: G4496.

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