New Testament

Luke 21:5

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

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.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

As some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,

KJVKing James Version

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

Verse Analysis

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.

Key themes

Related topics

worship, fear, prayer

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

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.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

Premium

Unlock the full Luke summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.