Devine Scripture

John 2:21

What does John 2:21 mean?

A plain-English look at John 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 2:21 means

John the evangelist clarifies Jesus' cryptic statement, revealing that "he spake of the temple of his body." This crucial interpretive note unlocks the profound spiritual meaning behind Jesus' words. His body is the new, ultimate dwelling place of God, replacing the physical Temple. This foreshadows His death and resurrection, where His body, once destroyed, would be raised, becoming the true locus of God's presence and worship. This redefines the concept of the Temple, moving it from a physical building to a person—Jesus Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he spake of the temple of his body.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he spake of the temple of his body.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he spake of the temple of his body.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But his words were about that holy building which was his body.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but he spake concerning the sanctuary of his body;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he spoke of the temple of his body.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he spoke of the temple of his body.

Context

This verse provides the critical clarification directly from the author, John, ensuring the reader understands the true meaning of Jesus' enigmatic statement regarding the Temple. This theological explanation is essential, correcting the literal misunderstanding of the Jewish leaders and immediately connecting Jesus' words to His bodily resurrection, which is central to Christian faith and the disciples' later comprehension.

v.20The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?

v.21This passage

v.22When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 2:4

    unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious,

  • 2 Corinthians 6:16

    And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • Hebrews 8:2

    a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

  • Colossians 1:19

    For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell;

  • Ephesians 2:20

    being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;

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