Luke 21:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In the temple during his final week, Jesus watches wealthy worshipers placing their gifts into the offering chests.
What Does Luke 21:1 Mean?
Jesus is teaching in the temple courts in the last days before his crucifixion. He has just warned against teachers of the law who love honor yet devour widows' houses (Luke 20:46-47). Now he lifts his eyes and watches the stream of wealthy donors placing gifts into the treasury, the chests that received offerings in the temple court.
Nothing escapes his gaze. He does not measure the line of givers by its totals, and the next verses show that he weighs hearts rather than sums. The Lord who watched then watches still: every offering, seen or unseen by others, is fully seen by him, and what we do with what we have tells him what we love.
Luke 21:1 in the Original Language
gazophylakion (γαζοφυλάκιον), 'treasury' -- the row of offering chests that stood in the temple court.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 21:1
What does Luke 21:1 mean?
In the temple during his final week, Jesus watches wealthy worshipers placing their gifts into the offering chests.