A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 21:2

"And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites." — Luke 21:2 (ASV)

Poor (πενιχραν). A rare word from πενης (πενομα, to work for one's living). Latin

penuria and Greek πειναω, to be hungry are kin to it. Here only in the N.T. Mr 12:42 has πτωχη, a more common word from πτωσσω, to be frightened, to strike and hide from fear, to be in beggary. And Luke uses this adjective also of her in verse 3.