Luke 20:45-21:4 Contrasting Devotion.

Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, and contrasted them with a humble giving widow. He warned the disciples, in the hearing of all the people, that the pompous arrogant pride of the scribes was something to be avoided. They loved receiving the adulation of the people, wearing the best clothes, and taking the best places at feasts and in the synagogues. They thought that their long prayers was a reflection of their sincerity. They also devoured widow’s houses, extracting what little resources the widow would have, in order to support their lavish lifestyle (Cf. 11:43; Mt. 23:1-7, 14; Mk. 12:38-40). This contrasted directly with the widow who gave her two mites, two small copper coins. She gave out of her poverty, what amounted to a huge part of what she needed to live, unlike those who gave out of their riches (Mk. 12:41-44).