Ancients customarily committed suicide on husbands' graves in order to appease ghosts and follow cultural norms of the time. [1] Hypocritical rulers publicly seek recognition, while secretly laying hold to widows' houses for profit. [2]
In Rome, Jesus and Ganid comforted a widow and her five children after the accidental death of her husband, helping secure a job for the eldest son to support the family. [3] When Jesus arrived in Nain, he raised the only son of the widow of Nain from the dead, much to the amazement of the villagers. [4] The rich widow of Tyre sought healing for her many infirmities, offering money in a futile attempt to purchase the power of God. [5] Under certain mores, widowhood was greatly feared, with widows facing blame, death, or social restriction. [6]
As evening fell and the crowds dispersed, Jesus and his followers witnessed a poor widow's profound act of generosity, with her tiny offering of “widow's mites” surpassing all the wealthy contributions. [7]