CINXE.COM
John 2:21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 2:21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/2-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/43_Jhn_02_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 2:21 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/2-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/2-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/2-20.htm" title="John 2:20">◄</a> John 2:21 <a href="/john/2-22.htm" title="John 2:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But the temple he had spoken of was his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But he was speaking about the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But He was speaking concerning the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But he spake of the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But He was speaking of the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He was speaking about the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But He was speaking of the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But He was speaking of the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But He was speaking of the temple which was His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he was speaking about the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But he spake of the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But Jesus was talking about his body as a temple. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But he spake of the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But the temple Jesus spoke about was his own body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But the temple Jesus was speaking about was his body. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But the sanctuary he was speaking about was his own body. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he spoke of the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But he spoke of the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But He was speaking of the Sanctuary of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But he spoke of the temple of his body. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />But He spoke concerning the temple of His body;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But He was speaking concerning the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> but he spake concerning the sanctuary of his body;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But he spake concerning the temple of his body.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But he spoke of the temple of his body. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet he was speaking about the Temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But he was speaking about the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But he was speaking of the temple of his body.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But he spoke concerning the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But he said this concerning the temple of his body.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But he spoke of the temple of his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But He spoke concerning the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now he had spoken with reference to the temple of his own body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but by the temple he meant his body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But He was speaking of the Sanctuary of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />But He was speaking about the temple of His body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore when he was risen from the dead,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/2-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=566" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/2.htm">Jesus Cleanses the Temple</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>“This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: Ekeinos (DPro-NMS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: elegen (V-IIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">was speaking</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">about</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3485.htm" title="3485: naou (N-GMS) -- A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.">temple</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">of His</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4983.htm" title="4983: sōmatos (N-GNS) -- Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.">body.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">22</span>After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a></span><br />Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16</a></span><br />Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-11.htm">Romans 8:11</a></span><br />And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-21.htm">Ephesians 2:21-22</a></span><br />In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9</a></span><br />For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-5.htm">1 Peter 2:5</a></span><br />you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a></span><br />What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a></span><br />The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-18.htm">John 10:18</a></span><br />No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-61.htm">Matthew 26:61</a></span><br />and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-58.htm">Mark 14:58</a></span><br />“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/24-26.htm">Luke 24:26</a></span><br />Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-24.htm">Acts 2:24</a></span><br />But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24</a></span><br />The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11</a></span><br />But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But he spoke of the temple of his body.</p><p class="hdg">he.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a></b></br> And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/colossians/1-19.htm">Colossians 1:19</a></b></br> For it pleased <i>the Father</i> that in him should all fulness dwell;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/colossians/2-9.htm">Colossians 2:9</a></b></br> For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.</p><p class="hdg">temple.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16</a></b></br> Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and <i>that</i> the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a></b></br> What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost <i>which is</i> in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a></b></br> And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in <i>them</i>; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/24-23.htm">Body</a> <a href="/john/2-20.htm">Building</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/john/2-20.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/john/1-37.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/2-20.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/john/2-17.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/3-4.htm">Body</a> <a href="/acts/4-11.htm">Building</a> <a href="/john/2-22.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">Sanctuary</a> <a href="/john/4-26.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/john/5-14.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/john/2-22.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">John 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/2-1.htm">Jesus turns water into wine;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/2-12.htm">departs into Capernaum,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/2-13.htm">and to Jerusalem,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/2-14.htm">where he purges the temple of buyers and sellers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/2-18.htm">He foretells his death and resurrection.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/2-23.htm">Many believe because of his miracles, but he will not trust himself with them.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But Jesus was speaking</b><br>In this passage, Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders who questioned His authority after He cleansed the temple. His statement is a profound example of His use of metaphor and parable, which often left His listeners puzzled. This method of teaching was common in rabbinic tradition, where deeper truths were conveyed through indirect language. Jesus frequently used this style to reveal spiritual truths to those who were open to understanding, while concealing them from those who were not.<p><b>about the temple</b><br>The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life, symbolizing God's presence among His people. It was a place of worship, sacrifice, and pilgrimage. By referring to the temple, Jesus connects His mission to the heart of Jewish faith and practice. The temple was also a place of prophecy, as seen in passages like <a href="/malachi/3.htm">Malachi 3:1</a>, which speaks of the Lord coming to His temple. Jesus' reference to the temple foreshadows the new covenant, where He Himself becomes the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity.<p><b>of His body.</b><br>Here, Jesus introduces the concept of His body as the true temple. This is a profound theological statement, indicating that He is the fulfillment of what the temple represented. The destruction and raising of His body in three days allude to His death and resurrection, a central tenet of Christian faith. This idea is further developed in the New Testament, where believers are described as the body of Christ (<a href="/1_corinthians/12-27.htm">1 Corinthians 12:27</a>) and the temple of the Holy Spirit (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a>). Jesus' resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian belief, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies such as <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Psalm 16:10</a> and <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one speaking about His body as the temple. This statement is made in the context of His ministry and foreshadows His death and resurrection.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple_in_jerusalem.htm">The Temple in Jerusalem</a></b><br>The physical temple where Jesus was speaking. It was the center of Jewish worship and a symbol of God's presence among His people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>They are the ones who later understand Jesus' statement after His resurrection, as noted in the surrounding verses.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jewish_leaders.htm">The Jewish Leaders</a></b><br>They are present in the context of this passage, questioning Jesus' authority and misunderstanding His reference to the temple.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_event_of_cleansing_the_temple.htm">The Event of Cleansing the Temple</a></b><br>This statement by Jesus follows His cleansing of the temple, where He drove out the money changers, emphasizing the sanctity of God's house.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_identity.htm">Understanding Jesus' Identity</a></b><br>Jesus' reference to His body as the temple highlights His divine nature and the fulfillment of God's presence among His people. Believers are called to recognize and honor Jesus as the true temple.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_the_resurrection.htm">The Significance of the Resurrection</a></b><br>Jesus' statement points to His resurrection, which is central to Christian faith. It serves as a reminder of the power and hope found in the resurrection.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/our_bodies_as_temples.htm">Our Bodies as Temples</a></b><br>Just as Jesus' body was a temple, believers are called to treat their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, living lives that honor God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/misunderstanding_spiritual_truths.htm">Misunderstanding Spiritual Truths</a></b><br>The Jewish leaders' misunderstanding of Jesus' words serves as a caution to seek spiritual discernment and understanding through the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>Jesus' statement and subsequent resurrection fulfill Old Testament prophecies, affirming the reliability and continuity of Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_you_live_according_to_my_teachings.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'Destroy this temple'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_jesus_threatened_the_temple.htm">Mark 14:58 – Is there any historical or archaeological support for Jesus threatening to destroy the temple, or could this be a misinterpretation of his statement? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'destroy_this'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "Destroy this temple"?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_bible_symbols_signify.htm">What do Bible symbols mean and represent?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">But he spake.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">was speaking.</span> This is the solution of the enigma as the disciples read it in the after history. It is remarkable that we have the interpretation of the spiritual temple in <a href="/mark/14-58.htm" title="We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.">Mark 14:58</a> (see Note there, and comp. <a href="/john/4-21.htm" title="Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.">John 4:21</a>; <a href="/john/4-23.htm" title="But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.">John 4:23</a>).<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/2-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jesus]</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐκεῖνος</span> <span class="translit">(Ekeinos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> </span><span class="str2">That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was speaking</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔλεγεν</span> <span class="translit">(elegen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">about</span><br /><span class="grk">περὶ</span> <span class="translit">(peri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(tou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">temple</span><br /><span class="grk">ναοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(naou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3485.htm">Strong's 3485: </a> </span><span class="str2">A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[of] His</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">body.</span><br /><span class="grk">σώματος</span> <span class="translit">(sōmatos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4983.htm">Strong's 4983: </a> </span><span class="str2">Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/2-21.htm">John 2:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/2-21.htm">NT Gospels: John 2:21 But he spoke of the temple (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/2-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 2:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 2:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/2-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 2:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 2:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>