Luke 21:4
ESV
For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
NIV
All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
NASB
for they all contributed to the offering from their surplus; but she, from her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.'
CSB
For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on."
NLT
For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.'
KJV
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.
NKJV
for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
What does Luke 21:4 mean?
Jesus is at the temple, watching people donate money for the treasury. He sees an extremely poor widow give her last two copper coins. The coins are worth so little that it was considered rude to donate only one to a beggar. What this woman gives is the tiniest possible amount with any value. But Jesus says she gave more than anyone else there (Luke 21:1–3).The rich donate large amounts of money (Mark 12:41). Jesus says those large amounts are little compared to how much they still own afterwards. The widow gave "all she had to live on." The contrast is even greater considering what Jesus has just said about the religious leaders: "Beware of the scribes…who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation" (Luke 20:46–47).
It should be noted that Jesus isn't judging rich people; He's lifting up the widow. The wealthy men are free to do with their money what they please (Acts 5:4). Nor is Jesus saying that His followers are obligated to donate everything we have. That, as well, is the widow's choice. Jesus commends her for it, but He doesn't make her sacrifice a standard. The point of the story isn't to tell His followers to give everything; it's to think carefully before judging someone who gives little. And, to think of giving in terms of personal sacrifice, rather than just raw numbers.
The King James Version uses the word "penury," which means extreme poverty.
Luke 21:1–4 completes Jesus' defense of His authority after the triumphal entry (Luke 19:28—20:47). He singles out a poor widow as a counterpoint to the religious leaders He warned about earlier (Luke 20:45–47). The scribes crave attention, while the widow acts quietly. The scribes steal widows' homes, while this widow gives her last two coins for the temple treasury. With His authority sufficiently defended, Jesus goes on to warn the disciples about their coming hardships (Luke 21:5–36). The widow is also mentioned in Mark 12:41–44.
Luke 21 records the last of Jesus' teachings before the Last Supper, His arrest, and His crucifixion. Luke 21:1–4 fits well with the themes of Luke 19:28—20:47. Luke 21:5–11 describes how false messiahs, war, and natural disasters will become normal. Luke 21:12–24 prophesies challenges prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Luke 21:25–28 moves to the tribulation. Luke 21:29–36 is Jesus' instructions about the disciples' lives and ministries with respect to the delayed kingdom. Luke 21:37–38 is a note about Jesus' schedule in the days between the triumphal entry and His arrest.
