Luke 21:2
New International Version
He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.

New Living Translation
Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

English Standard Version
and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.

Berean Standard Bible
and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.

Berean Literal Bible
and He saw a certain poor widow casting in two lepta.

King James Bible
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

New King James Version
and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.

New American Standard Bible
And He saw a poor widow putting in two lepta coins.

NASB 1995
And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.

NASB 1977
And He saw a certain poor widow putting in two small copper coins.

Legacy Standard Bible
And He saw a poor widow putting in two lepta.

Amplified Bible
And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.

Christian Standard Bible
He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.

American Standard Version
And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Contemporary English Version
He also saw a poor widow putting in a few cents.

English Revised Version
And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He noticed a poor widow drop in two small coins.

Good News Translation
and he also saw a very poor widow dropping in two little copper coins.

International Standard Version
Then he saw a destitute widow drop in two small copper coins.

Majority Standard Bible
and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.

NET Bible
He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.

New Heart English Bible
He saw a certain poor widow casting in two lepta.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he saw also a certain poor widow, casting in thither two mites.

Weymouth New Testament
He also saw a poor widow dropping in two farthings,

World English Bible
He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He also saw a certain poor widow casting two mites there,

Berean Literal Bible
and He saw a certain poor widow casting in two lepta.

Young's Literal Translation
and he saw also a certain poor widow casting there two mites,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he also saw a certain poor widow casting there two small coins.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in two brass mites.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then he also saw a certain widow, a pauper, putting in two small brass coins.

New American Bible
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.

New Revised Standard Version
he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he also saw a poor widow, who cast in two pennies.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he saw also a certain poor widow who cast in two shemonas.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he saw also a certain poor widow throw in thither two mites.

Godbey New Testament
And He also saw a certain poor widow, casting in thither two mites.

Haweis New Testament
And he observed also a certain widow, miserably poor, put in there two mites.

Mace New Testament
he saw a poor widow throwing in the value of a farthing.

Weymouth New Testament
He also saw a poor widow dropping in two farthings,

Worrell New Testament
And He saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Worsley New Testament
and He saw also a poor widow throwing in two mites.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Poor Widow's Offering
1Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3“Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.…

Cross References
Mark 12:42
Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius.

Matthew 12:41-44
The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here. / The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here. / When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ...

2 Corinthians 8:2-3
In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. / For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Acts 4:34-35
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.

James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Philippians 4:17-18
Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account. / I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Romans 12:8
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2
Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: / On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Deuteronomy 15:11
For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.

1 Kings 17:10-16
So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks. Elijah called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, so that I may drink.” / And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.” / But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” ...

2 Kings 4:1-7
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” / “How can I help you?” asked Elisha. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She answered, “Your servant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” / “Go,” said Elisha, “borrow empty jars from all your neighbors. Do not gather just a few. ...

Malachi 3:10
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.


Treasury of Scripture

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

mites.

Mark 12:42
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

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Brass Casting Coins Copper Dropping Farthing Farthings Mites Poor Putting Small Therein Thither Widow
Luke 21
1. Jesus commends the poor widow.
5. He foretells the destruction of the temple, and of the city Jerusalem;
25. the signs also which shall be before the last day.
34. He exhorts them to be watchful.














and He saw
This phrase emphasizes the omniscience and attentiveness of Jesus. In the Greek, the word for "saw" is "εἶδεν" (eiden), which implies not just a casual glance but a deep, discerning observation. Jesus sees beyond the surface, understanding the heart and intentions behind actions. This reminds us that God is always aware of our circumstances and actions, even when they seem insignificant to others.

a poor widow
The term "poor widow" is significant in the socio-economic context of the time. Widows were often among the most vulnerable in society, lacking a husband's support and often without means of income. The Greek word for "poor" is "πενιχρὰ" (penichra), indicating extreme poverty. This highlights the widow's dire situation and the depth of her faith and trust in God, as she gives out of her need rather than her abundance.

put in
The act of "putting in" her offering is a deliberate and conscious decision. The Greek word used here is "ἔβαλεν" (ebalen), which means to cast or throw. This suggests an intentional and sacrificial act of giving. It reflects the widow's commitment and devotion, as she willingly contributes to the temple treasury despite her limited means.

two small copper coins
The "two small copper coins" are referred to in Greek as "δύο λεπτά" (duo lepta). The "lepton" was the smallest and least valuable coin in circulation at the time, equivalent to a fraction of a day's wage. This detail underscores the widow's poverty and the magnitude of her sacrifice. Despite the coins' minimal monetary value, her offering is of immense spiritual worth, demonstrating that God values the heart and sacrifice behind the gift more than the amount.

(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
and
δέ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

He saw
εἶδεν (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.

a
τινα (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.

poor
πενιχρὰν (penichran)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3998: Poor, needy. Prolongation from the base of penes; necessitous.

widow
χήραν (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.

put
βάλλουσαν (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.

in
ἐκεῖ (ekei)
Adverb
Strong's 1563: (a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.

two
δύο (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.


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NT Gospels: Luke 21:2 He saw a certain poor widow casting (Luke Lu Lk)
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