Church Fathers Commentary Luke 21:1-4

"And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than they all: for all these did of their superfluity cast in unto the gifts; but she of her want did cast in all the living that she had." — Luke 21:1-4 (ASV)

Glossa Ordinaria: Our Lord, having rebuked the covetousness of the Scribes who devoured widows’ houses, commends the almsgiving of a widow, as it says, And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting into the treasury, etc.

The Venerable Bede: The name gazophylacium has its roots in two languages: in Greek, a word signifies “to keep,” and in Persian, gaza means “riches.” Therefore, a gazophylacium is the name for a place where money is kept. There was a chest with an opening at the top placed near the altar, on the right side for those entering the house of God, into which the priests cast all the money that was given for the Lord's temple. Just as our Lord overthrows those who conduct business in His house, He also observes those who bring gifts, praising the deserving and condemning the wicked. Thus, it says next, And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in there two mites.

St. Cyril of Alexandria: She offered two oboli, which she had earned for her daily living with the sweat of her brow. What she begs for daily from others, she gives to God, showing that her poverty is fruitful for her. Therefore, she surpasses the others and, by a just reward, receives a crown from God. As it continues, Of a truth I say to you, that this poor widow has cast in more, etc.

The Venerable Bede: For whatever we offer with an honest heart is very pleasing to God, who looks at the heart, not the substance. He does not weigh the amount of what is given in sacrifice, but rather the amount from which it is taken, as it continues: For all these have cast in of their abundance, but she all that she had.

St. John Chrysostom: For God did not regard the smallness of the offering, but the overflowing of affection. Almsgiving is not giving a few things out of many, but is like the widow emptying herself of her entire substance. But if you cannot offer as much as the widow, at least give all that you have left over.

The Venerable Bede: Mystically, the rich men who cast their gifts into the treasury signify the Jews, who are puffed up with the righteousness of the law. The poor widow, in contrast, signifies the simplicity of the Church. The Church is called “poor” because it has cast away the spirit of pride, or has cast away its sins as if they were worldly riches. Furthermore, the Church is a widow because her Husband endured death for her.

She cast two mites into the treasury, which signifies that she presents her gifts—whether of love for God and her neighbor, or of faith and prayer—in God’s sight, where all the offerings of our works are kept. These gifts excel all the works of the proud Jews, for they, out of their abundance, cast into the offerings of God while presuming on their own righteousness. The Church, however, casts in all her living, because she believes that everything that has life is a gift from God.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Alternatively, the widow may be taken to mean any soul, as it were, bereaved of her first husband (the ancient law) and not yet worthy to be united with the Word of God. This soul brings to God faith and a good conscience instead of a dowry, and so seems to offer more than those who are rich in words and abound in the moral virtues of the Gentiles.