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Luke 21:2
Verse
Context
Sermons
St. John ChrysostomSt. John Chrysostom
St. John Climacus
Sadhu Sundar SinghSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
A certain poor widow - A widow miserably poor; this is the proper import of πενιχραν, and her being miserably poor heightened the merit of the action. Two mites - Which Mark says, Mar 12:42, make a farthing or quadrans, the fourth part of an As, or penny, as we term it. In Plutarch's time we find the smallest piece of brass coin in use among the Romans was the quadrans, but it appears that a smaller piece of money was in circulation among the Jews in our Lord's time, called here, and in Mark, Mar 12:42, a lepton, i.e. small, diminished, from λειπω, I fail. In ancient times our penny used to be marked with a deep indented cross, dividing the piece into four equal parts, which, when broken in two, made the half-penny, and, when broken into four, made the fourthing, what we have corrupted into farthing. Probably the Roman quadrans was divided in this way for the convenience of the poor. Our term mite seems to have been taken from the animal called by that name; for as that appeared to our ancestors to be the smallest of all animals, so this being the smallest of all coins was called by its name. Junius says that mite was a small base coin among the Dutch. Our word mite seems to be a contraction of the Latin minutum, a small thing, whence the French miete, a crumb, a very small morsel. See the note on Mar 12:41.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
two mites--"which make a farthing" (Mar 12:42), the smallest Jewish coin. "She might have kept one" [BENGEL].
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he saw also a certain poor widow,.... Whom he took particular notice of above all the rest: the poor, and the widow, are regarded by him, and are his care; nor are their mean services, done in faith, and from a principle of love, despised by him, but preferred to the greater services of others, where faith and love are wanting: casting in thither two mites; the value of a farthing. The Persic version renders it, "two bottoms of yarn"; See Gill on Mar 12:42,
Tyndale Open Study Notes
21:2 two small coins: Together, two lepta were worth only about 1/64 of a denarius (the standard day’s wage for a laborer).
Luke 21:2
The Poor Widow’s Offering
1Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
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No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Harm Himself - Part 1
By St. John Chrysostom01KI 17:12LUK 6:26LUK 21:2ROM 5:32CO 4:16COL 1:241TI 6:7John Chrysostom preaches about the dangers of being captivated by the pursuit of wealth and the false sense of pleasure and honor it brings. He challenges the common assumption that material possessions lead to happiness and honor, highlighting the physical and spiritual harm that excessive wealth can bring. Chrysostom emphasizes that true virtue and honor come from self-control, moderation, and righteousness, rather than from external possessions or societal status. He uses examples from biblical figures like Job, Joseph, and Paul to illustrate how suffering and loss do not harm those who are virtuous, but rather lead to greater spiritual growth and reward.
Hebrews 1:1-4
By St. John Chrysostom0MAT 5:22LUK 16:9LUK 21:2EPH 5:27HEB 1:1John Chrysostom preaches about the superiority of God speaking to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, compared to the prophets and angels. He emphasizes the abundant grace that surpasses sin, the importance of Christ purging our sins, and the need for believers to remain pure and avoid speaking evil. Chrysostom warns about the consequences of sinful actions and encourages almsgiving as a way to quench the fires of punishment and receive God's everlasting benefits through good works and a willing heart.
Step 16 on Love of Money or Avarice
By St. John Climacus0MAT 5:3LUK 21:2ACT 20:34EPH 5:52TH 3:101TI 6:10St. John Climacus preaches about the dangers of avarice, describing it as a form of idol worship, a manifestation of unbelief, and a hindrance to spiritual growth. He emphasizes the importance of selflessness and generosity, contrasting it with the selfishness of those who love money. Climacus highlights the deceptive nature of the love of money, warning that it can lead to a lack of compassion and a neglect of true charity towards the poor. He encourages a life of simplicity and humility, where one's focus is on spiritual richness rather than material wealth.
Service
By Sadhu Sundar Singh0ISA 58:10MAT 5:16LUK 21:2JHN 15:131CO 1:262CO 12:92TI 4:7Sadhu Sundar Singh preaches about the true meaning of service, emphasizing that service is the natural offering prompted by love and the activity of the spiritual life. He explains that in serving God and others, believers receive help from God as they use the faculties and powers He has endowed them with. Through various parables and examples, he highlights the importance of sacrificial service, readiness to give up one's life for others, and the need to use God-given gifts and talents to bring light and blessings to those in darkness and despair.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
A certain poor widow - A widow miserably poor; this is the proper import of πενιχραν, and her being miserably poor heightened the merit of the action. Two mites - Which Mark says, Mar 12:42, make a farthing or quadrans, the fourth part of an As, or penny, as we term it. In Plutarch's time we find the smallest piece of brass coin in use among the Romans was the quadrans, but it appears that a smaller piece of money was in circulation among the Jews in our Lord's time, called here, and in Mark, Mar 12:42, a lepton, i.e. small, diminished, from λειπω, I fail. In ancient times our penny used to be marked with a deep indented cross, dividing the piece into four equal parts, which, when broken in two, made the half-penny, and, when broken into four, made the fourthing, what we have corrupted into farthing. Probably the Roman quadrans was divided in this way for the convenience of the poor. Our term mite seems to have been taken from the animal called by that name; for as that appeared to our ancestors to be the smallest of all animals, so this being the smallest of all coins was called by its name. Junius says that mite was a small base coin among the Dutch. Our word mite seems to be a contraction of the Latin minutum, a small thing, whence the French miete, a crumb, a very small morsel. See the note on Mar 12:41.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
two mites--"which make a farthing" (Mar 12:42), the smallest Jewish coin. "She might have kept one" [BENGEL].
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he saw also a certain poor widow,.... Whom he took particular notice of above all the rest: the poor, and the widow, are regarded by him, and are his care; nor are their mean services, done in faith, and from a principle of love, despised by him, but preferred to the greater services of others, where faith and love are wanting: casting in thither two mites; the value of a farthing. The Persic version renders it, "two bottoms of yarn"; See Gill on Mar 12:42,
Tyndale Open Study Notes
21:2 two small coins: Together, two lepta were worth only about 1/64 of a denarius (the standard day’s wage for a laborer).