Luke 21:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"The praise of the Lord, as Scripture states, conceals the word." For it is beyond our capacity to truly honor His immense kindness and the depth of His unmatched love for humanity. He regards our deeds for those burdened by need as gifts unto Himself, for He proclaimed, "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye have done unto one of these little ones, ye have done unto Me." Furthermore, it is written that "he who is charitable to the poor lends to the Lord." In this context, one of the saints articulated this sentiment beautifully, addressing all of humanity: "Because you are righteous, what will you give Him? Or what will He accept from your hand? Your wickedness to a man equal to you, and your righteousness to a son of man." Thus, our actions towards our brethren are indeed directed towards them; however, God receives these as expressions of spiritual fruit, as He cherishes humanity and desires to demonstrate mercy to those who consistently act in this manner, freeing them from all transgressions. For it is said that "mercy glories against judgment." Let us consider, if we may, the contest of the merciful, examining its nature and noting whom the Savior first commends according to His divine and sacred decree. Then, as some wealthy individuals approached, they presented their designated gifts and cast offerings into the treasury; and although they possessed substantial wealth, the contributions they made were, when judged against their ample resources, relatively modest.

has given more than all.” Here the Lord encourages us that no one should feel discouraged from giving due to the shame of poverty, and the wealthy should not pride themselves over what seems to be more generous contributions than those from the less fortunate. A small gift from a humble person is often more valuable than a great treasure from someone wealthy, for what truly matters is not the amount given, but what is left behind. It is not the one who sacrifices everything for herself that has truly given the most. Why do you, who are affluent, take pride before the impoverished? Why adorn yourself with gold, treating your lavish attire as if it were insignificant compared to your wealth? You seek honor merely for having more than the needy. Just as rivers overflow during a flood, yet a sip from a humble stream may be more refreshing. New wine may froth during its fermentation, but a farmer does not lament the spillage. During the threshing process, there may be the sound of grain scattering, yet once it concludes, flour is abundant, and the jars of oil are filled. Even now, while drought has drained the vessels of the rich, the widow's small jar of oil remains full (1 Kings 17:15). Therefore, nothing should be despised; all offerings made with a pure heart should be appreciated. No one has given more than that widow who provided for the prophet from the limited resources meant for her children. Since no one has given more than she, no one deserves more in return, which is undeniably true.

Do not regard this woman with disdain as she offers two small coins to the treasury. Indeed, she is remarkable, deserving of preference in the eyes of the divine. Is this not the woman whose faith united both covenants for humanity’s sake? None among women has surpassed her, nor can any man equal her offerings when faith is combined with charity. Therefore, every woman who experiences the trials of widowhood should not hesitate to contribute her two small coins—representing her fullness of faith and charity.

Blessed is she who brings forth from her treasury an unblemished image of the King. Your treasury consists of wisdom, chastity, righteousness, and sound judgment; it mirrors the treasure from which the wise men once offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh during the Lord's worship (Matthew 2:11)—gold signifying the King’s power, frankincense honoring God, and myrrh acknowledging the resurrection of the body. Within you lies this very treasury, should you choose to seek it out within yourself, for we carry our treasures in earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7). You possess gold to present; however, it is not mere shiny metal that God desires from you, but the kind of gold that endures the fires of judgment. He does not seek precious gifts from you, but rather the fragrance of faith that arises from the altars of your heart, exuding the aroma of a spirited love for God.

From this treasury flow not only those two small coins of the widow, in which the pure image of the heavenly King must shine, adorned by His glory and essence. Additionally, the tribute of chastity, gained through sincere effort, is worthy of commendation. The widow, tirelessly laboring day and night over her pressing tasks, collects her deserved reward for maintaining the sanctity of her late husband’s bed, enabling her to nourish her beloved children and assist the needy. This devotion merits greater recognition than that of the wealthy, and this is what will not be feared in Christ’s judgment.

This is the widow whom you should emulate, daughters: for “it is good to be zealous for good deeds always” (Galatians 4:18). Be eager to share good gifts. But remember, the Lord sees you; Jesus observes when you approach the treasury and plan to give to the poor from your honest labor. You may offer your two small coins, but in return, you receive the body of Christ! Therefore, come before your Lord without charity, faith, or chastity. For the Lord Jesus does not simply look upon the poor but affirms those who are rich in virtues. Let Him see you, young maiden, working diligently. This is the tribute that you should present to God: offer Him your gratitude for the excellence of others. No greater thanks can be rendered to God than that which embodies the gifts of piety.

He called His disciples to Him, eager to share His remarkable discovery, saying, "Look, this poor widow has put in more than all the others!" The disciples were astonished and struggled to comprehend His words. The Lord continued, "The others gave from their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, has given everything she had, even her last bit of sustenance" (Luke 21:1-4). His comment on the widow’s action reveals not only her character but also something profound about Jesus Himself. It is enlightening to observe how His moments of rest were used for good, as He did not overlook even the most mundane situations that conveyed a deeper lesson. In contrast, the teachers of the law were absorbed in trivial matters, yet they failed to derive any significant meaning from them, leaving them strange and downtrodden.

When a destitute widow came forward and placed merely two small coins—just over half a kopeck—into the treasury, He summoned His disciples and declared, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who put into the treasury; for all contributed from their surplus, but she, from her scarcity, gave everything she had, her entire livelihood." Through this, the Lord illustrated to His disciples that every act of sacrifice is esteemed by God, not based on its quantity or the wealth of the giver, but rather by the faithfulness and purity of heart apparent in the offering made to God.

These coins, known as a lepta, were equivalent to one-eighth of a larger coin and valued slightly more than a halfpenny, meaning her entire offering totaled just over a penny. Though surrounded by the lavish gifts of others, she might have felt embarrassed by the triviality of her offering. Yet, Christ recognized her faith and sacrificial spirit. Her gesture was akin to a 'cup of cold water' given in love, which would not go unrewarded in His kingdom. Thus, He intended to teach that the measure of giving is determined by the level of self-denial involved; the widow's sacrifice, made from her poverty, far surpassed that of the wealthiest Pharisee who contributed gold. “For they all laid up out of their abundance; she out of her scarcity laid up all that she had, all her sustenance.”

However, among the affluent, a humble widow came forth to the temple treasury and placed in it two lepta, the least valuable coin, akin to a penny. Despite the modesty of her gift, the Lord recognized its true worth, reflecting on the insight of St. Gregory the Theologian: “God does not weigh the offering based on the value of the gift but assesses it by the giver's capacity and intention.” Calling His disciples to Him, the Lord proclaimed, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow has contributed more to the treasury than all the others combined, for they all gave out of their surplus, but she, in her poverty, has given all she possessed, her very livelihood, to the treasury.” In a similar vein, Venerable Isidore Pelusiot remarked that “everything performed to the best of one’s ability ascends to the heavens: the widow who offered two mites in the holy treasury is celebrated as surpassing all rulers because the Judge honored not the amount contributed but the willingness with which she dedicated everything to God.” This instance serves as a poignant reminder of how the Divine Teacher utilized seemingly trivial moments to impart profound moral teachings, while the Pharisees distorted significant truths through their interpretations, stripping them of their essence.