New Testament
Luke 21:5
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As some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
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And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
What Luke 21:5 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, people are admiring the grandeur of the temple, noting its beautiful stones and the gifts that have been offered to enhance its appearance. The temple was a significant place of worship and a symbol of religious devotion for the Jewish people. Jesus, however, uses this moment to shift the focus from the physical beauty of the temple to a deeper spiritual truth. He often challenged the superficial admiration of religious structures, emphasizing that true worship and devotion go beyond mere appearances. This moment foreshadows the eventual destruction of the temple, highlighting the transient nature of earthly things compared to the eternal significance of faith and relationship with God. Jesus' response serves as a reminder that while the temple is impressive, it is not the ultimate focus of faith; rather, it is the heart and spirit of worship that truly matter.
How to apply Luke 21:5 to your life
This verse encourages us to look beyond the physical aspects of our faith and worship. While places of worship can be beautiful, our relationship with God should be rooted in genuine faith and spiritual connection rather than mere admiration of structures. Focus on the heart of worship.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Teaching on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:5–36)
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Jesus
Photo: zeevveez, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.0. Source. Location: Capernaum, on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Resized for the web.
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Capernaum
Jesus' home base by the Sea of Galilee, and the town where Peter lived.
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Keep studying Luke 21:5
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Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 21:5 mean?
Luke 21:5 describes people admiring the beauty of the temple, highlighting its impressive stones and gifts. Jesus uses this moment to point out that true worship goes beyond physical structures and should focus on spiritual devotion.
What is the significance of the temple in Luke 21:5?
In Luke 21:5, the temple represents a central place of worship and religious devotion for the Jewish people. Jesus' comments remind us that while the temple is beautiful, it is not the ultimate focus of faith.
How does Luke 21:5 relate to worship?
Luke 21:5 illustrates that while the temple's beauty is noteworthy, true worship is about the heart and spirit rather than just the admiration of religious structures.
What lesson can we learn from Luke 21:5?
From Luke 21:5, we learn to prioritize our relationship with God over the physical aspects of worship. It encourages us to focus on genuine faith and spiritual connection.
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