King James Version

What Does Luke 21:6 Mean?

Luke 21:6 in the King James Version says “As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, th...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 21:6 · KJV

Context

4

For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

5

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

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.

7

And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

8

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. and the time: or, and, The time

Read Luke 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Jesus delivers one of Scripture's most shocking prophecies: ouk aphethēsetai lithos epi lithō hos ou katalythēsetai (οὐκ ἀφεθήσεται λίθος ἐπὶ λίθῳ ὃς οὐ καταλυθήσεται, 'not will be left stone upon stone which will not be thrown down'). The double negative emphasizes totality—complete, utter destruction. The verb katalyō (καταλύω) means 'demolish,' 'destroy utterly,' 'throw down.' This isn't damage or defeat; it's obliteration.

The prophecy was fulfilled with horrifying precision in AD 70 when Roman legions under Titus besieged Jerusalem, slaughtered hundreds of thousands, and systematically dismantled the temple. Soldiers pried apart stones to retrieve gold that had melted in fires. The magnificent structure admired moments earlier in Jesus' prophecy ceased to exist. This demonstrates Christ's prophetic authority and teaches that no human institution, however impressive or religiously significant, stands unless God sustains it. External grandeur means nothing if internal corruption prevails.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The destruction of the Jerusalem temple in AD 70 was catastrophic for Judaism. After a brutal siege, Roman forces breached the city walls, burned the temple, and demolished its structures. Josephus estimated 1.1 million Jews died in the siege and war. The temple's destruction ended the sacrificial system, scattered the Jewish people, and forced rabbinic Judaism to develop without temple worship. Jesus prophesied this destruction forty years before it occurred. His words would have seemed incredible to hearers—the temple had stood for centuries, represented Jewish identity, and symbolized God's presence. Yet history vindicated Christ's prophecy exactly. Early Christians remembered this prophecy and escaped Jerusalem before the siege, heeding Jesus' warning (Luke 21:20-21).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the temple's destruction teach about the difference between human impressiveness and divine approval?
  2. How should the fulfillment of Jesus' detailed prophecy forty years later strengthen confidence in His other unfulfilled prophecies?
  3. What modern 'temples'—institutions, traditions, or structures Christians consider permanent—might God judge as He judged Jerusalem's temple?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
Ταῦτα1 of 15

“As for these things”

G5023

these things

ὃς2 of 15

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

θεωρεῖτε3 of 15

“ye behold”

G2334

to be a spectator of, i.e., discern, (literally, figuratively (experience) or intensively (acknowledge))

ἐλεύσονται4 of 15

“will come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἡμέραι5 of 15

“the days”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐν6 of 15

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὃς7 of 15

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐ8 of 15

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀφεθήσεται9 of 15

“be left”

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

λίθῳ10 of 15

“another”

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ11 of 15

“upon”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

λίθῳ12 of 15

“another”

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

ὃς13 of 15

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐ14 of 15

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

καταλυθήσεται15 of 15

“be thrown down”

G2647

to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e., (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare g2646) to halt for the night

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 21:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 21:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 13:2Matthew 24:2Zechariah 14:2Lamentations 5:18Acts 6:13-14Zechariah 11:1

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