What is the meaning of Luke 21:3? Truly I tell you, • Jesus opens with a solemn guarantee. Every time He says “Truly I tell you,” He flags a statement of absolute, unvarnished truth (John 3:3; Matthew 5:18). • The phrase reminds listeners that He speaks with divine authority; He is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). • Because His words are infallible, whatever follows must shape how we view giving, wealth, and worship. He said, • Luke underscores that these are the very words of Christ, not mere commentary. Scripture records that “the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority” (Matthew 7:28-29). • The simple reminder “He said” ties this moment to countless others where Jesus’ spoken word carried power—stilling storms (Luke 8:24) and offering eternal life (John 6:68-69). • When the Lord speaks, His people listen; ignoring His assessment of this widow would mean ignoring the Judge of all (John 12:48). this poor widow has put in more than all the others. • Jesus contrasts earthly calculations with heaven’s ledger. Others “contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4; see the parallel in Mark 12:41-44). • God evaluates gifts by sacrifice, not sum. David echoed the same heart: “I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). • The widow’s two small coins outweighed rich offerings because she held nothing back—mirroring the principle “if the readiness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has” (2 Corinthians 8:12). • Her faith illustrates that the Lord “looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Quiet, unseen obedience pleases Him far more than public displays (Matthew 6:1-4). summary Jesus prefaces His comment with an ironclad “Truly,” stressing that what He says is reality from God’s viewpoint. As the authoritative Son, His judgment is final. Looking past large sums, He celebrates a destitute widow who gave everything, teaching that value in God’s kingdom is measured by sacrificial faith, not monetary amount. Her example calls believers to wholehearted trust, cheerful generosity, and confidence that the Lord sees and rewards even the smallest act done for Him. |
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