Widows are referenced many times throughout the Bible, often with encouragement and instruction on how to care for them. Here are some key Bible passages about widows:
Deuteronomy 10:18
“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”
This verse emphasizes God’s care and provision for widows. It reminds us that God defends and provides for those who may be marginalized in society.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
“At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.”
This instruction about tithing mandated that a portion be set aside to feed and care for widows every three years. It shows God’s concern that widows be provided for by the community.
Deuteronomy 24:17
“You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge…”
God instructed His people not to take advantage of or exploit widows, showing how widows could be vulnerable to injustice and mistreatment by others.
Deuteronomy 24:19-21
“When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.”
God commanded farmers to purposely leave portions of their crops for widows and the poor to glean. This ensured widows would be provided for and cared for in tangible ways.
Psalm 68:5
“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
This highlights how God cares for and protects widows in their vulnerable state. He upholds justice for them.
Psalm 146:9
“The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”
Again, God is presented as a defender and provider for widows and the fatherless. He cares for them in their need.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
This call to action instructs God’s people to actively care for widows by defending them and working against oppression or mistreatment of them.
Jeremiah 49:11
“Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me.”
Even in a passage about coming judgment, God reminds His people of His compassion and provision for the vulnerable like widows and orphans.
Malachi 3:5
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.”
This shows that exploiting or mistreating widows provokes God’s judgment. He defends their cause.
Mark 12:38-40
“And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.””
Jesus condemned religious leaders who took advantage of widows for financial gain. This is a stark warning against exploiting the vulnerable.
Luke 2:36-38
“And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”
Anna faithfully served God for many years as a widow, setting an example of devotion and service to Him.
Luke 4:25-26
“But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.”
Jesus highlighted the faith of a widow who was blessed by God despite having no status or influence.
Luke 20:47
“Who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Again, Jesus strongly condemned religious leaders who financially exploited widows while pretending to be spiritual.
Luke 21:1-4
“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Though poor, this widow generously gave all she had. Jesus upheld her faith and generosity as an example.
Acts 6:1
“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”
This passage led to the appointment of deacons who could ensure widows were cared for in the early church.
Acts 9:39-41
“So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.”
Peter raised a widow named Dorcas from the dead, showing compassion on the community of widows who mourned her loss.
1 Corinthians 7:8
“To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.”
Paul notes that remaining single can be a good option for widows focused on undivided devotion to the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:3-16
“Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.”
Paul gives extensive instructions about caring for widows in the church, saying true or destitute widows over 60 should be cared for but younger widows should remarry. He says families should provide for widows if possible.
James 1:27
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
James highlights that caring for widows in their distress is an essential part of living out true religion that is pure before God.
In summary, the Bible contains many passages both instructing God’s people to provide and care for widows, as well as promises from God that He will uphold, defend and care for widows in their vulnerable state. Widows are repeatedly included with groups like orphans and strangers as needing provision and justice. God promises repeatedly to be their defender and provider. And caring for widows is presented as a fundamental way God’s people can love Him by loving the vulnerable. These and many other verses provide a powerful biblical foundation for how the church should treat widows with compassion, generosity and advocacy.