The Bible places great emphasis on caring for widows, recognizing their unique struggles and the need for compassion, justice, and provision. God’s Word is filled with instructions on how His people should protect and support widows, showing them love and kindness. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s heart for widows, ensuring they are not forgotten or left in distress.
Jesus Himself demonstrated deep concern for widows, performing miracles to restore their hope and dignity. The early church also played a crucial role in looking after them, emphasizing the importance of community support and divine provision.
As Christians, we are called to uphold these principles, showing mercy and generosity to those who have lost their spouses. These Bible verses highlights God’s care, promises, and commands concerning widows.
Preachers Quotes Widows
“True religion is to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
– Charles Spurgeon
“The heart of God beats for the vulnerable, and the widow is dear to Him. If we neglect them, we fail to reflect
His love.” – John Piper
“A widow’s cry is never unheard in heaven. God Himself promises to be her defender.” – D.L. Moody
“When we care for the widows, we mirror the very character of God, who is the defender of the defenseless.” – Tim Keller
“Widows are a priority in God’s economy, and the church must rise to meet their needs with love and action.” – Rick Warren
“The widow’s strength is found in the Lord, and He promises to sustain her all the days of her life.” – Elisabeth Elliot
“God’s justice extends to the widow, and His provision is sure. Let us be His hands in their lives.” – Billy Graham
You might also be interested in: Bible verses about Sadness
Bible Verses About Widows
Exodus 22:22 – God’s command to protect widows.
“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.” – Exodus 22:22
Deuteronomy 10:18 – God executes justice for widows.
“He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.” – Deuteronomy 10:18
Deuteronomy 14:29 – Provision for widows.
“And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.” – Deuteronomy 14:29
Deuteronomy 24:17 – A warning against mistreating widows.
“You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge.” – Deuteronomy 24:17
Psalm 68:5 – God as a defender of widows.
“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.” – Psalm 68:5
Psalm 146:9 – God upholds widows.
“The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns upside down.” – Psalm 146:9
Proverbs 15:25 – God’s protection over widows.
“The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, but He will establish the boundary of the widow.” – Proverbs 15:25
Isaiah 1:17 – A call to defend widows.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
Jeremiah 22:3 – Do no harm to widows.
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.’” – Jeremiah 22:3
Luke 7:12-15 – Jesus raises a widow’s son.
“And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her…Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.” – Luke 7:12-15
James 1:27 – Pure religion cares for widows.
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” – James 1:27
Ruth 1:16-17 – Ruth’s loyalty as a widow.
“But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.’” – Ruth 1:16-17
1 Kings 17:13-14 – Elijah and the widow of Zarephath.
“And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’” – 1 Kings 17:13-14
Job 29:15-16 – Job’s compassion for widows.
“I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know.” – Job 29:15-16
Psalm 94:6 – Warning against oppressing widows.
“They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.” – Psalm 94:6
Isaiah 10:1-2 – Condemnation of those who exploit widows.
“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless.” – Isaiah 10:1-2
Lamentations 5:3 – Widows and fatherless suffer in distress.
“We have become orphans and waifs, our mothers are like widows.” – Lamentations 5:3
Ezekiel 22:7 – Widows mistreated in a corrupt society.
“In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the widow.” – Ezekiel 22:7
Malachi 3:5 – God’s judgment against oppressors of widows.
“And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien—because they do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 3:5
Mark 12:42-44 – The widow’s offering.
“Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.’” – Mark 12:42-44
Luke 18:3-5 – The persistent widow.
“Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” – Luke 18:3-5
Acts 6:1 – The early church cares for widows.
“Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.” – Acts 6:1
Acts 9:39 – Widows mourn for Dorcas.
“Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.” – Acts 9:39
Romans 7:2 – The bond of marriage and widows.
“For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.” – Romans 7:2
1 Corinthians 7:8-9 – Paul’s advice to widows.
“But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” – 1 Corinthians 7:8-9
1 Timothy 5:3 – Honor widows in need.
“Honor widows who are really widows.” – 1 Timothy 5:3
1 Timothy 5:5 – A true widow relies on God.
“Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.” – 1 Timothy 5:5
1 Timothy 5:16 – The church’s responsibility for widows.
“If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.” – 1 Timothy 5:16
Hebrews 13:16 – Do good and share with widows.
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
1 Kings 17:17-24 – Elijah revives the widow’s son.
“Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick; and his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. So she said to Elijah, ‘What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?’ And he said to her, ‘Give me your son.’ So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. Then he cried out to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?’ And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.’ Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.” – 1 Kings 17:17-24
2 Kings 4:1-7 – Elisha and the widow’s oil.
“A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.’ So Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.’ Then he said, ‘Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons, then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.’ So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, ‘Bring me another vessel.’ And he said to her, ‘There is not another vessel.’ So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.’” – 2 Kings 4:1-7
Luke 2:36-38 – Anna, the widow prophetess.
“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” – Luke 2:36-38
Luke 21:1-4 – The widow’s offering.
“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.’” – Luke 21:1-4
Matthew 15:25 – The Canaanite woman’s faith.
“Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’” – Matthew 15:25
Matthew 23:14 – Hypocrites and widows.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.” – Matthew 23:14
2 Corinthians 8:9 – Christ’s example for the poor and widows.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
1 Timothy 5:9-10 – Qualifications for widows receiving support.
“Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.” – 1 Timothy 5:9-10
1 Timothy 5:11-12 – Younger widows encouraged to remarry.
“But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith.” – 1 Timothy 5:11-12
Matthew 5:4 – The blessedness of those who mourn.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
Revelation 2:9 – The suffering of the faithful, including widows.
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty—but you are rich; and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” – Revelation 2:9
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Miscarriage
What does the Bible say about Widows
The Bible speaks deeply about widows, showing God’s heart for them and giving clear instructions on how they should be treated. Widows in biblical times were among the most vulnerable people in society. Often, they had no means of support, as their husbands were their primary providers. The Bible recognizes the pain and difficulty that widows face, and it consistently calls on people to care for and protect them.
In the Old Testament, God made special provisions for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commanded His people not to mistreat widows or orphans: “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.” This shows that God cares deeply for those who are in distress and in need of protection. The law also instructed the people to leave part of their harvest for widows to gather, providing them with food (Leviticus 19:9-10). This was a way of ensuring they were cared for, even when they had no husband to provide for them.
The story of Ruth in the Old Testament further highlights God’s care for widows. After her husband died, Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, and follow her to a new land. God honored Ruth’s faithfulness, leading her to marry Boaz, who was kind and respectful of her. Through this story, we see that God can bring hope and restoration to widows, even in difficult circumstances.
In the New Testament, Jesus spoke about widows in several places. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus commended a poor widow who gave all she had to the temple treasury, even though her offering was small. Jesus praised her because she gave from her heart, demonstrating faith and trust in God. This shows that God values the faith and generosity of widows, even when they have little.
In 1 Timothy 5:3-16, Paul provides instructions for the church on how to care for widows. He emphasizes that the church should support widows who are truly in need and who have no family to care for them. However, he also encourages younger widows to remarry, as they may be tempted to turn away from God if they remain single.
The Bible consistently affirms that widows are to be treated with compassion, respect, and care. God is their defender, and His people are called to support them, showing love and kindness to those who are in need.