The Meaning of John 2:21 Explained

John 2:21

KJV: But he spake of the temple of his body.

YLT: but he spake concerning the sanctuary of his body;

Darby: But he spoke of the temple of his body.

ASV: But he spake of the temple of his body.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  he  spake  of  the temple  of his  body. 

What does John 2:21 Mean?

Context Summary

John 2:12-22 - Right And Wrong Uses Of God's House
This market was established in the Temple courts, and many evils were associated with it. The animals were sold at exorbitant prices, which made the dealers only the more covetous. The money-changers made considerable profit in supplying Jewish coins-which alone could be offered in the Temple service-in exchange for Roman and Greek money. Our Lord's presence was august, His soul being aflame with the passion of zeal for His Father's honor. The consciences of those who offended were smitten by the contrast between that holy zeal and their own eagerness to barter.
Our Lord's reference to His body as the true temple is very impressive and interesting. The Apostle adverts to it in 1 Corinthians 6:19. As Jesus cleansed the Temple so He can cleanse our hearts. When He comes to dwell within us, He finds our hearts desecrated by unholy things, which He quickly casts out. He sits as a refiner of silver: His fan is in His hand, and He thoroughly purges His floor. Our Lord's reference to the distraction of His body, by the act of the Jewish leaders, and to His resurrection, proves that from the first He had His sacrifice well before His eyes. In the next chapter this becomes the more apparent. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 2

1  Jesus turns water into wine;
12  departs into Capernaum,
13  and to Jerusalem,
14  where he purges the temple of buyers and sellers
18  He foretells his death and resurrection
23  Many believe because of his miracles, but he will not trust himself with them

Greek Commentary for John 2:21

But he spake of the temple of his body [εκεινος δε ελεγεν περι του ναου του σωματος αυτου]
Emphatic he This is John‘s view as he looks back at it, not what he understood when Jesus spoke the words. [source]
He [ἐκεῖνος]
See on John 1:18. Emphatic, and marking the contrast between the deeper meaning of Jesus and the literalism of the Jews and of His disciples (see next verse). For other illustrations of John's pointing out the meaning of words of Jesus which were not at first understood, see John 7:39; John 12:33; John 21:19. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 2:21

Matthew 4:5 Pinnacle of the temple [τὸ πτερέγιον τοῦἱροῦ]
Pinnacle, from the Latin pinnaculum, a diminutive of pinna or penna (awing )is a literal translation of πτερύγιον , which is also a diminutive (a little wing or winglet )Nothing in the word compels us to infer that Christ was placed on the top of a tower or spire, which is the popular meaning of pinnacle. The word may be used in the familiar English sense of the wing of a building. Herod's temple had two wings, the northern and southern, of which the southern was the higher and grander; that being the direction in which the chief enlargement of the temple area made by Herod was practicable. That enlargement, according to Josephus, was effected by building up walls of solid masonry from the valley below. At the extremity of the southern side of the area, was erected the “royal portico,” a magnificent colonnade, consisting of a nave and two aisles, running across the entire space from the eastern to the western wall. Josephus further says, that “while the valley of itself was very deep, and its bottom could scarcely be seen when one looked down from above, the additional vastly high elevation of the portico was placed on that height, insomuch that, if any one looked down from the summit of the roof, combining the two altitudes in one stretch of vision, he would be giddy, while his sight could not reach to such an immense depth.” This, in comparison with the northern wing, was so emphatically the wing of the temple as to explain the use of the article here, as a well-known locality. The scene of the temptation may have been (for the whole matter is mainly one of conjecture) the roof of this portico, at the southeastern angle, where it joined Solomon's Porch, and from which the view into the Kedron valley beneath was to the depth of four hundred and fifty feet. The word temple ( ἱερόν , lit., sacred place )-DIVIDER-
signifies the whole compass of the sacred inclosure, with its porticos, courts, and other subordinate buildings; and should be carefully distinguished from the other word, ναός , also rendered temple, which means the temple itself - the “Holy-DIVIDER-
Place” and the “Holy of Holies.” When we read, for instance, of Christ teaching in the temple ( ἱερόν )we must refer it to one of the temple-porches. So it is from the ἰερόν , the court of the Gentiles, that Christ expels the money-changers and cattle-merchants. In Matthew 27:51, it is the veil of the ναός which is rent; the veil separating the holy place from the holy of holies. In the account of Zacharias entering into the temple of the Lord to burn incense (Luke 1:9), the word is ναός , the holy place in which the altar of incense stood. The people were “without,” in the fore-courts. In John 2:21, the temple of his body, ἱερόν , would be obviously inappropriate. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

John 1:8 He [ἐκεῖνος]
Emphatic, “It was not he who was the light.” Compare John 2:21, “He ( ἐκεῖνος ) spake,” bringing out the difference between Jesus' conception of destroying and rebuilding the temple, and that of his hearers. [source]
John 12:6 Not because he cared for the poor [ουχ οτι περι των πτωχων εμελεν αυτωι]
Literally, “not because it was a care to him concerning the poor” (impersonal imperfect of μελει — melei it was a care). John often makes explanatory comments of this kind as in John 2:21.; John 7:22, John 7:39. But because he was a thief Clearly the disciples did not know then that Judas was a petty thief. That knowledge came later after he took the bribe of thirty pieces of silver for betraying Jesus (Matthew 26:15), for the disciples did not suspect Judas of treachery (John 13:28.), let alone small speculations. There is no reason for thinking that John is unfair to Judas. “Temptation commonly comes through that for which we are naturally fitted” (Westcott). In this case Judas himself was “the poor beggar” who wanted this money. And having the bag took away what was put therein This is the correct text. This compound for the earlier γλωσσοκομειον — glōssokomeion (from γλωσσα — glōssa tongue, and κομεω — komeō to tend) was originally a receptacle for the tongues or mouth-pieces of wind instruments. The shorter form is already in the Doric inscriptions and is common in the papyri for “money-box” as here. It occurs also in Josephus, Plutarch, etc. In N.T. only here and John 13:29 in same sense about Judas. αλλομενα — Ballomena is present passive participle (repeatedly put in) of βαλλω — ballō to cast or fling. The imperfect active (custom) of βασταζω — bastazō old verb to pick up (John 10:31), to carry (John 19:17), but here and John 20:15 with the sense to bear away as in Polybius, Josephus, Diogenes Laertes, and often so in the papyri. [source]
2 Peter 1:20 No prophecy of Scripture [πασα προπητεια ου]
Like the Hebrew γινεται — lȯkōl but also in the papyri as in 1 John 2:21 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 753).Is (εστιν — ginetai). Rather “comes,” “springs” (Alford), not “is” (ιδιας επιλυσεως — estin).Of private interpretation Ablative case of origin or source in the predicate as with του τεου — gnōmēs in Acts 20:3 and with εχ ημων — tou theou and επιλυσις — ex hēmōn in 2 Corinthians 4:7. “No prophecy of Scripture comes out of private disclosure,” not “of private interpretation.” The usual meaning of επιλυω — epilusis is explanation, but the word does not occur elsewhere in the N.T. It occurs in the papyri in the sense of solution and even of discharge of a debt. Spitta urges “dissolved” as the idea here. The verb epiluō to unloose, to untie, to release, occurs twice in the N.T., once (Mark 4:34) where it can mean “disclose” about parables, the other (Acts 19:39) where it means to decide. It is the prophet‘s grasp of the prophecy, not that of the readers that is here presented, as the next verse shows. [source]
1 John 3:5 Ye know []
John's characteristic appeal to Christian knowledge. Compare 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:21; 1 John 4:2, 1 John 4:14, 1 John 4:16; 1 John 5:15, 1 John 5:18; 3 John 1:12. [source]
1 John 1:8 The truth []
The whole Gospel. All reality is in God. He is the only true God ( ἀληθινός John 17:3; see on John 1:9). This reality is incarnated in Christ, the Word of God, “the very image of His substance,” and in His message to men. This message is the truth, a title not found in the Synoptists, Acts, or Revelation, but in the Catholic Epistles (James 5:19; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 2:2), and in Paul (2 Corinthians 8:8; Ephesians 1:13, etc.). It is especially characteristic of the Gospel and Epistles of John. The truth is represented by John objectively and subjectively. 1. Objectively. In the person of Christ. He is the Truth, the perfect revelation of God (John 1:18; John 14:6). His manhood is true to the absolute law of right, which is the law of love, and is, therefore, our perfect pattern of manhood. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Truth, absolutely existing in and identified with God, was also, in some measure, diffused in the world. The Word was in the world, before as after the incarnation (John 1:10. See on John 1:4, John 1:5). Christ often treats the truth as something to which He came to bear witness, and which it was His mission to develop into clearer recognition and expression (John 18:37). This He did through the embodiment of truth in His own person (John 1:14, John 1:17; John 14:6), and by His teaching (John 8:40; John 17:17); and His work is carried out by the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), sent by God and by Christ himself (John 14:26; John 16:7). Hence the Spirit, even as Christ, is the Truth (1 John 5:6). The whole sum of the knowledge of Christ and of the Spirit, is the Truth (1 John 2:21; 2 John 1:1). This truth can be recognized, apprehended, and appropriated by man, and can be also rejected by him (John 8:32; 1 John 2:21; John 8:44). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. Subjectively. The truth is lodged in man by the Spirit, and communicated to his spirit (John 14:17; John 15:26; John 16:13). It dwells in man (1 John 1:8; 1 John 2:4; 2 John 1:2), as revelation, comfort, guidance, enlightenment, conviction, impulse, inspiration, knowledge. It is the spirit of truth as opposed to the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). It translates itself into act. God's true children do the truth (John 3:21; 1 John 1:6). It brings sanctification and freedom (John 8:32; John 17:17). See on John 14:6, John 14:17. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

1 John 2:19 That they might be made manifest [ινα πανερωτωσιν]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πανεροω — phaneroō for which verb see John 21:1; Colossians 3:4. See 2 Corinthians 3:3 for the personal construction with οτι — hoti as here.They all are not (ουκ εισιν παντες — ouk eisin pantes). Not just some, but all, as in 1 John 2:21; 1 John 3:5. These antichrists are thus revealed in their true light. [source]
1 John 2:19 They all are not [ουκ εισιν παντες]
Not just some, but all, as in 1 John 2:21; 1 John 3:5. These antichrists are thus revealed in their true light. [source]
1 John 2:22 The liar [ο πσευστης]
The liar (with the article) par excellence. Rhetorical question to sharpen the point made already about lying in 1 John 1:6, 1 John 1:10; 1 John 2:4, 1 John 2:21. See 1 John 5:5 for a like rhetorical question. [source]
1 John 3:15 No [πασου]
According to current Hebraistic idiom = μενουσαν — oudeis as in 1 John 2:19, 1 John 2:21.Abiding (μενω — menousan). Present active feminine accusative predicate participle of menō “a continuous power and a communicated gift” (Westcott). [source]
1 John 2:19 For if they had been of us [ει γαρ εχ ημων ησαν]
Condition of second class with ει — ei and imperfect tense (no aorist for ειμι — eimi).They would have continued (μεμενηκεισαν αν — memenēkeisan an). Past perfect of μενω — menō to remain, without augment, with αν — an in apodosis of second-class condition.With us In fellowship, for which see μετα — meta in 1 John 1:3. They had lost the inner fellowship and then apparently voluntarily broke the outward.But they went (αλλ — all'). Ellipsis of the verb εχηλταν — exēlthan above, a common habit (ellipse) in John s Gospel (John 1:8; John 9:3; John 13:18; John 15:25).That they might be made manifest Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πανεροω — phaneroō for which verb see John 21:1; Colossians 3:4. See 2 Corinthians 3:3 for the personal construction with οτι — hoti as here.They all are not (ουκ εισιν παντες — ouk eisin pantes). Not just some, but all, as in 1 John 2:21; 1 John 3:5. These antichrists are thus revealed in their true light. [source]
1 John 2:19 With us [μετ ημων]
In fellowship, for which see μετα — meta in 1 John 1:3. They had lost the inner fellowship and then apparently voluntarily broke the outward.But they went (αλλ — all'). Ellipsis of the verb εχηλταν — exēlthan above, a common habit (ellipse) in John s Gospel (John 1:8; John 9:3; John 13:18; John 15:25).That they might be made manifest Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πανεροω — phaneroō for which verb see John 21:1; Colossians 3:4. See 2 Corinthians 3:3 for the personal construction with οτι — hoti as here.They all are not (ουκ εισιν παντες — ouk eisin pantes). Not just some, but all, as in 1 John 2:21; 1 John 3:5. These antichrists are thus revealed in their true light. [source]

What do the individual words in John 2:21 mean?

He however was speaking concerning the temple of the body of Him
Ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἔλεγεν περὶ τοῦ ναοῦ τοῦ σώματος αὐτοῦ

δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἔλεγεν  was  speaking 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
περὶ  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
ναοῦ  temple 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ναός  
Sense: used of the temple at Jerusalem, but only of the sacred edifice (or sanctuary) itself, consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies (in classical Greek it is used of the sanctuary or cell of the temple, where the image of gold was placed which is distinguished from the whole enclosure).
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σώματος  body 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: σῶμα  
Sense: the body both of men or animals.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.