Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:5-38 When Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem (21:6), his disciples questioned when it would take place and what signs would accompany it (21:7). Jesus responded by describing the events surrounding the destruction of the Temple and the return of the Son of Man (21:8-36). This sermon is known as the Olivet Discourse because the Mount of Olives was the site of Jesus’ teaching (see Matt 24:3; Mark 13:3). 21:5 majestic stonework: Herod the Great rebuilt and restored the Jerusalem Temple, producing one of the great structures of the ancient world. According to Josephus, the massive white stones reflected the sun with such brilliance that from a distance the Temple looked like snow-covered mountains (War 5.5.6). • The memorial decorations were probably funded by offerings given by worshipers to fulfill vows.
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose. Covers the New Testament only.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose. Covers the New Testament only.
And certain saying about the temple, that with goodly stones and devoted things it hath been adorned, he said,
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
και τινων λεγοντων περι του ιερου οτι λιθοις καλοις και αναθημασιν κεκοσμηται ειπεν
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
¶ And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said,
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.
And some were talking about the Temple, how it was made fair with beautiful stones and with offerings, but he said,