John 2:21

21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body.

John 2:21 Meaning and Commentary

John 2:21

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, ( 1 Corinthians 3:16 1 Corinthians 3:17 ) ( 6:19 ) ( 2 Corinthians 6:16 ) ; and the human nature of Christ is called a tabernacle, ( Hebrews 8:2 ) ; and he himself, in prophecy, is said to be (vdqml) , "for a sanctuary", or temple, ( 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, ( Colossians 2:9 ) ( Isaiah 6:1 ) . And because here, as in the temple, God grants his presence, and communes with his saints, accepts of their prayers and praises, and all their spiritual sacrifices through him; and who is the oracle, the true "Urim" and "Thummim", by whom he delivers his whole mind and will to his people.

John 2:21 In-Context

19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

20 The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?"

21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body.

22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

23 When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing.