5As some were speaking about the temple — how it was adorned with fine stones and consecrated offerings — he said, [21:6] "These things that you are gazing at — days will come when there will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." [21:7] They questioned him, saying, "Teacher, when then will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?" [21:8] He said, "Watch out that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The appointed time has drawn near.' Do not go after them. [21:9] And when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end does not follow immediately."
LUK 21:5-9
Temple Destruction and Other Signs
In the world it was spoken into
In the first century, the Jerusalem Temple was not merely a religious center but a symbol of Jewish identity, divine favor, and national pride. Its grandeur, adorned with costly stones and votive offerings , reflected both the piety of the people and the wealth of patrons who contributed to its splendor. For Jesus’ audience, the Temple’s destruction would signify not just physical ruin but a catastrophic upheaval of their covenantal and eschatological hopes. The mention of wars and commotions would evoke memories of past conflicts, such as the Maccabean revolts, and fears of Roman oppression. The warning against being led astray resonates with a context where false messiahs and apocalyptic prophets often emerged, claiming divine authority and promising deliverance. The term (appointed time) underscores the urgency of discerning the true moment of divine intervention amidst chaos. For Jesus’ listeners, these words would have stirred both fear and anticipation, challenging them to remain vigilant in a volatile and uncertain world.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
LUK 21:5
- KJV
- And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
- BSB
- As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, Jesus said,
- Koinōnos
- As some were speaking about the temple — how it was adorned with fine stones and consecrated offerings — he said,
LUK 21:6
- KJV
- As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
- BSB
- “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
- Koinōnos
- These things that you are gazing at — days will come when there will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.
LUK 21:7
- KJV
- And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
- BSB
- “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
- Koinōnos
- They questioned him, saying, "Teacher, when then will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?
LUK 21:8
- KJV
- And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
- BSB
- Jesus answered, “See to it that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.
- Koinōnos
- He said, "Watch out that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The appointed time has drawn near.' Do not go after them.
LUK 21:9
- KJV
- But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
- BSB
- When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.”
- Koinōnos
- And when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end does not follow immediately.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.8.12
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.8.12
“There are also those among them who undertake to foretell things to come, by reading the holy books, and using several sorts of purifications, and being perpetually conversant in the discourses of the prophets”
Cited to ground: The warning against being led astray resonates with a context where false messiahs and apocalyptic prophets often emerged, claiming divine authority and promising deliverance.
Translator's notes
LUK 21:5
- temple:The word translated 'temple' here refers to the entire sacred precinct, including all the buildings and courtyards, not just the main sanctuary building.
- with consecrated gifts:The phrase 'with consecrated gifts' refers to valuable objects dedicated to God and offered to the temple, often displayed as votive offerings.
LUK 21:8
- you may be led astray;:The word translated 'you may be led astray' implies being deceived or caused to wander from the truth, often with a sense of error or delusion.
- The:The word translated 'The' in 'The time is near' refers to a specific, opportune, or appointed time, rather than just a general passage of time.