When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury 2 and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. 3 He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; 4 for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.” 5 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, 6 “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” 7 Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” 8 He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! 9 When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
In the preceding section (Luke 20:45-47), Jesus denounced the scribes for their pride and pretentiousness. In this passage, Jesus highlights the sacrificial giving of a poor widow, contrasting her offering with that of the wealthy. Detachment from material possessions and dependence on God leads to blessedness (Lk. 6:20). Jesus then transitions to a prophetic discourse, warning of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the coming tribulations, emphasizing the transitory nature of worldly structures and urging his followers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst future turmoil.
Jesus was in the temple when he observed wealthy worshippers making monetary donations to support the Temple's upkeep and provide resources for various liturgical functions, priestly duties, and charity. Wealthy worshippers often made large and visible contributions, as giving to the Temple was a sign of piety and social status. Jesus noticed a poor widow donating two small coins. Widows were among the most vulnerable groups in Jewish society. Jesus said that the widow's offering, though small in monetary value, was more significant in the eyes of God because it represented a total sacrifice. The wealthy give from their surplus, but the widow gives out of her poverty, a profound act of trust in divine providence.
People admired the beauty and grandeur of the Temple. It was the central symbol of Jewish identity, culture, faith, and national pride. Its physical splendor reflected religious devotion and represented the covenant relationship between God and His people. Many Jews believed that God dwelled in the Temple and its splendor and role in Jewish worship made it invincible because of God’s promise of continued protection of His chosen people (2 Sam. 7:12-16). Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple, which historically took place in 70 AD when the Romans sacked Jerusalem.
The disciples asked about the timing and the signs that would precede the destruction of the Temple because many Jews of that time believed that the destruction of the Temple would be perceived as a sign of divine judgment and connected to the end of the current age. Jesus warned the disciples against false messiahs and those claiming to know the exact time of the end. In first-century Palestine, the Jews were under Roman rule, and many were anticipating a powerful, king-like figure who would liberate them from Roman occupation and restore the nation of Israel to its former glory as prophesied in the Old Testament (Is. 11:1-9). False messiahs appeared, claiming to be the long-awaited savior, attempting to exploit these expectations to gain personal influence and political power to incite rebellion against the Roman authorities. Jesus urged the disciples to remain vigilant and not be deceived by them. He told the disciples that wars, upheavals, international conflicts, natural disasters, and cosmic signs are inevitable, but are not definitive signs of the final judgment.
Almighty God, grant us the humility and faith of the poor widow, who gave all she had and trusted in You. Help us to offer our lives with the same devotion, knowing that true wealth lies in our reliance on Your providence. Strengthen us so that we may remain steadfast, and help us to discern truth from falsehood. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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