New Testament

Luke 21:4

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus observes people giving money at the temple.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

For all these have given out of their abundance to the offerings of God, but she, out of her poverty, has given all she had to live on.

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus observes people giving money at the temple. Many wealthy individuals contribute large amounts from their surplus, but a poor widow stands out. She donates two small coins, which is all she has to live on. This act highlights the difference between giving from abundance and giving sacrificially. The widow's offering, though small in monetary value, is significant because it represents her total commitment and trust in God. Jesus uses her example to teach that true generosity is measured not by the amount given but by the heart behind the gift. The widow's faith and willingness to give everything she had demonstrate a profound level of devotion and reliance on God, contrasting sharply with those who give out of their excess without much personal sacrifice.

Key themes

Related topics

sacrifice, generosity, faith

How to apply Luke 21:4 to your life

This verse encourages us to evaluate our own giving. It challenges us to consider whether we give out of our abundance or if we are willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others and our faith. True generosity comes from the heart, not just the wallet.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 21:4 mean?

Luke 21:4 highlights the contrast between the wealthy who give from their surplus and the poor widow who gives all she has. It emphasizes that true generosity is not about the amount given but the heart and sacrifice behind the gift.

What is the significance of the widow's offering in Luke 21:4?

The widow's offering is significant because it represents total commitment and trust in God. Despite its small monetary value, her gift illustrates the idea that true generosity comes from making sacrifices for others.

How does Luke 21:4 relate to the concept of generosity?

Luke 21:4 teaches that generosity is measured by the spirit of giving rather than the amount. It challenges us to consider whether we give out of abundance or make sacrifices that reflect our faith.

What lesson can we learn from Luke 21:4?

From Luke 21:4, we learn that the value of a gift is determined by the heart behind it. The widow's willingness to give everything she had serves as a powerful example of faith and devotion.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

Premium

Unlock the full Luke summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.