21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body.
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
21 But Jesus was talking about his body as the Temple.
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
21 But when Jesus said "this temple," he meant his own body.
2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
2 A minister of the sanctuary,
2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent
2 conducting worship in the one true sanctuary built by God.
2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.
(Read Hebrews 8:1-6)
The substance, or summary, of what had been declared was, that Christians had such a High Priest as they needed. He took upon himself human nature, appeared on earth, and there gave himself as a sacrifice to God for the sins of his people. We must not dare to approach God, or to present any thing to him, but in and through Christ, depending upon his merits and mediation; for we are accepted only in the Beloved. In all obedience and worship, we should keep close to God's word, which is the only and perfect standard. Christ is the substance and end of the law of righteousness. But the covenant here referred to, was that made with Israel as a nation, securing temporal benefits to them. The promises of all spiritual blessings, and of eternal life, revealed in the gospel, and made sure through Christ, are of infinitely greater value. Let us bless God that we have a High Priest that suits our helpless condition.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 2:21
Commentary on John 2:12-22
(Read John 2:12-22)
The first public work in which we find Christ engaged, was driving from the temple the traders whom the covetous priests and rulers encouraged to make a market-place of its courts. Those now make God's house a house of merchandise, whose minds are filled with cares about worldly business when attending religious exercises, or who perform Divine offices for love of gain. Christ, having thus cleansed the temple, gave a sign to those who demanded it, to prove his authority for so doing. He foretells his death by the Jews' malice, Destroy ye this temple; I will permit you to destroy it. He foretells his resurrection by his own power; In three days I will raise it up. Christ took again his own life. Men mistake by understanding that according to the letter, which the Scripture speaks by way of figure. When Jesus was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered he has said this. It helps much in understanding the Divine word, to observe the fulfilling of the Scriptures.