Luke 21:6

[As for] these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

As for these things {G5023} which {G3739} ye behold {G2334}, the days {G2250} will come {G2064}, in {G1722} the which {G3739} there shall {G863} not {G3756} be left {G863} one stone {G3037} upon {G1909} another {G3037}, that {G3739} shall {G2647} not {G3756} be thrown down {G2647}.

“The time is coming when what you see here will be totally destroyed — not a single stone will be left standing!”

“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in which there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Commentary

Luke 21:6 records a solemn prophecy spoken by Jesus Christ concerning the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This declaration comes immediately after His disciples expressed admiration for the Temple's beauty and the costly stones adorning it.

Context

This verse is part of what is commonly known as the Olivet Discourse, a significant teaching given by Jesus on the Mount of Olives. After observing the rich contributing to the temple treasury and commending the poor widow’s offering (Luke 21:1-4), Jesus’ disciples drew His attention to the impressive structure of the Temple, noting its "goodly stones and gifts" (Luke 21:5). Jesus' response in verse 6 is a shocking prediction that stands in stark contrast to their admiration, foretelling its utter devastation.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Foresight: Jesus demonstrates His divine knowledge by accurately predicting an event that seemed unimaginable at the time due to the Temple's grandeur and perceived invincibility. This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD when the Roman army, under General Titus, besieged Jerusalem and completely destroyed the Second Temple, leaving no stone unturned, just as Jesus described.
  • The Transience of Earthly Structures: The verse underscores that even the most impressive and sacred human-built structures are temporary. The Temple, a focal point of Jewish religious life and national identity for centuries, was not immune to destruction. This highlights a broader biblical theme about the impermanence of earthly things compared to the eternal kingdom of God.
  • Divine Judgment: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem was understood by many early Christians and later commentators as a judgment on Israel for rejecting its Messiah and continuing in rebellion. This event marked a significant shift in salvation history, moving from a Temple-centered worship to a new covenant centered on Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "not be left one stone upon another" (οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον) is a strong idiom emphasizing total and complete demolition. It conveys an absolute destruction, leaving nothing intact. This literal fulfillment in 70 AD, where even the foundations were reportedly dug up by the Romans to recover melted gold, demonstrates the precision of Jesus' words.

Practical Application

This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Trust in the Enduring Word: Jesus' accurate prediction reinforces the reliability and truthfulness of His words. If His prophecies concerning earthly events were fulfilled with such precision, His promises regarding future hope and eternal life can also be trusted implicitly.
  • Focus on the Eternal: The destruction of the Temple encourages us not to place our ultimate hope or security in physical structures, institutions, or earthly achievements, no matter how grand or sacred they may seem. Our true dwelling place and eternal hope are found in Christ and His spiritual kingdom (Colossians 3:1-2).
  • Readiness for Change: Life is full of unexpected changes and the dismantling of familiar structures. This verse calls us to be spiritually prepared and anchored in Christ, recognizing that even things we hold dear may be temporary.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Second Coming of Christ How to Read Biblical Prophecy The Major Empires of the Bible: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse The Widow's Mite: A Lesson in Giving

Cross-References

  • Matthew 24:2

    And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

  • Mark 13:2

    And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

  • Lamentations 5:18

    Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

  • Daniel 9:26

    And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

  • Daniel 9:27

    And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

  • Jeremiah 26:6

    Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.

  • Zechariah 14:2

    For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
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