Section 21:5–38
Jesus taught about what would happen in the future
After the events of the preceding section, some of Jesus’ disciples were admiring the beautiful stones and gifts that people used to adorn the Temple. Jesus told them that one day the Temple would be completely destroyed. Enemies would attack Jerusalem and destroy the Temple. Jesus also told them about other things that would happen in the future. He told them that after these things happened, he would return to earth in power and great glory. He warned his disciples to pray so that they would be able to endure the future troubles and be ready to meet him when he comes again.
It is good to translate this section before you decide on a heading for it. Some examples of other headings are:
The Jerusalem temple would soon be destroyed
-or-
The destruction of the temple and the coming times of trouble
There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 24:1–35 and Mark 13:1–31.
Paragraph 21:5–6
This paragraph introduces a new section. The events in this section began sometime after the event in 21:1–4. The Greek text does not indicate how much time passed between these two sections. Matthew 24:1 and Mark 13:1 indicate that Jesus was leaving the temple as the events in this section began.
In some languages, it may be natural to begin this section with a time word or phrase. If that is true in your language, choose an expression that is not too specific. For example:
Then (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
After that
21:5a
As some of the disciples: Here the Greek text has only the word some. The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the phrase of the disciples. There are two ways to interpret the word some:
(1) It refers to some of Jesus’ disciples. For example:
Some of the disciples (Good News Translation)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))
(2) It refers to some people who were standing there. For example:
Some people (Contemporary English Version)
(Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
Some English versions are ambiguous. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In 20:45, Jesus was talking to his disciples, and no other group is mentioned after that. Interpretation (1) is also supported by the parallel passages in Matthew 24:1 and Mark 13:1.
disciples: See the note on disciples at 17:1a. Also see disciple in the Glossary for more information.
were remarking: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as were remarking simply means “speaking/saying.” Some other ways to translate this word are:
spoke (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
were talking (Good News Translation)
-or-
were commenting
See the General Comment on 21:5a–d at the end of 21:5d for a suggestion about using direct speech in this verse.
21:5b–c
how the temple was adorned: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as how the temple was adorned is literally “about the temple that it has been decorated/made beautiful.” Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
about the temple. They said that it was adorned
temple: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as temple here refers to the temple building and the walls and courtyards that surrounded it. See temple, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information about the temple and how to translate it.
was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as was adorned is literally “has been decorated” or “has been made beautiful.” The disciples indicated that the temple was made beautiful by its stones and gifts.
In some languages it may be necessary to use two verbs to describe how the stones and the gifts made the temple beautiful. For example:
it was built with fine stones and decorated with beautiful gifts (God’s Word)
The verbs “was built” and “decorated” are passive. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate the clause without using a passive verb. For example:
some were saying that the temple was beautiful/magnificent with its beautiful stones and sacred gifts
-or-
some were talking about the beautiful stones of the temple and the wonderful offerings that decorated/adorned it
beautiful stones: The phrase beautiful stones refers to the huge stone blocks that were used to build the temple. The stones were not jewels. They were not used only for decoration, but they did make the temple more beautiful. Some other ways to translate beautiful stones are:
fine stones (Good News Translation)
-or-
that its stones were magnificent
consecrated gifts: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as consecrated gifts refers here to special gifts people gave to decorate the temple. Examples of such gifts were gold and silver used to cover the temple doors, and fine tapestries. The people dedicated the gifts to God to adorn the temple and make it more beautiful. These particular gifts were not offerings of money or animals.
In some languages there is a special term that is used for sacred gifts to a god. Consider whether this term can or should be used to describe gifts to God.
Other ways to translate consecrated gifts are:
gifts offered to God (Good News Translation)
-or-
wonderful/beautiful offerings
21:5d
Jesus said: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus said is simply “he said.” It continues the sentence that began in 21:5a, as the Berean Standard Bible models. In some languages it may be more natural to begin a new sentence here. For example:
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said… (New International Version)
As this example shows, the New International Version begins the sentence with the conjunction “But” because Jesus replied in a way that the disciples did not expect. Other English versions have “and,” “then,” or “so.” Connect 21:5d to 21:5a–c in a natural way in your language.
General Comment on 21:5a–d
In some languages it may be more natural use direct speech to translate what the disciples said. For example:
5aThen some of his disciples remarked about the temple, 5b“How beautiful/magnificent the temple is because of its fine stones 5cand its ⌊rich⌋ ornaments that people have given as gifts to God!” 5dBut Jesus said….
-or-
5aAfter that some of his disciples began to talk about the temple. They said, 5b“⌊Look at⌋ the beautiful stones of the temple! 5cAlso, ⌊look at⌋ the ⌊wonderful⌋ gifts/ornaments that people have offered to God to adorn/decorate it!” 5dBut Jesus said….
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