What Does Luke 21:3 Mean in the King James?
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
In Jesus’ measure, “more” names the share of life given, not the number of coins.
THE MEANING
This verse makes visible size an incomplete measure: what appears smallest can carry the greatest share of a life. The widow’s gift surpasses the others because its meaning is not captured by counting coins alone.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie is that the largest visible contribution is necessarily the greatest gift.
THE ROOT
πτωχή
ptōchē
GROWS FROM
πτωχ-
ptōch-
Crouch or cower; by extension, beg or be destitute.
“poor” in this verse is ptōchē. This word’s family holds the image of crouching to beg alongside the state of poverty: it describes material lack, not a measure of worth. The verse names her lack plainly, then overturns the assumption that lack makes her offering small.
ALSO GROWS
ptōcheia: Poverty
πτωχεία
In 2 Corinthians 8:2, deep poverty appears alongside abundant generosity, echoing this verse’s reversal of visible measure.
ptōcheuō: To become poor, to live in poverty
πτωχεύω
In 2 Corinthians 8:9, the same word family describes becoming poor, keeping poverty in view as a lived condition rather than a label for small worth.
THE PATTERN
The true measure sees the inward reality that visible comparison misses.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.THE THREAD
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.The next verse reveals what “more” measures: the others give from abundance, while she gives all she has to live on. It turns the comparison from the coins entering the treasury to the share of life each gift carries.
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