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John 2:21

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 2:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he spake of the temple of his body.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But he spake of the temple of his body.
John 2:21 — American Standard Version

Context — John 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?
21But he spake of the temple of his body.
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.
23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.
24But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men,
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he spoke of the temple of his body.] Which was the antitype of the material temple; and might well be called so, since the bodies of the saints are called temples, (<460316>1 Corinthians 3:16,17 6:19) (<470616>2 Corinthians 6:16); and the human nature of Christ is called a tabernacle, (<580802>Hebrews 8:2); and he himself, in prophecy, is said to be çdqml, “for a sanctuary”, or temple, (<230814>Isaiah 8:14), and that because the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily, the train of the divine perfections filled the temple of his human nature, (<510209>Colossians 2:9 <230601>Isaiah 6:1). And because here, as in the temple, God grants his presence, and communes with his saints, accepts…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“temple of his body--in which was enshrined the glory of the eternal Word. (See on Joh 1:14). By its resurrection the true Temple of God upon earth was reared up, of which the stone one was but a shadow; so that the allusion is not quite exclusively to Himself, but takes in that Temple of which He is the foundation, and all believers are the "lively stones." (Pe1 2:4-5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he: Joh 1:14 \*Gr: Col 1:19, Col 2:9; Heb 8:2 temple: Co1 3:16, Co1 6:19; Co2 6:16; Eph 2:20-22; Pe1 2:4, Pe1 2:5 John 2:22”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification