Luke 21:38 kjv
And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
Luke 21:38 nkjv
Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
Luke 21:38 niv
and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
Luke 21:38 esv
And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
Luke 21:38 nlt
The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him.
Luke 21 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 63:1 | O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee... | The psalmist's longing for God's presence, seeking early. |
| Prov 8:17 | I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. | Wisdom's promise to those who diligently seek her. |
| Isa 55:6 | Seek ye the LORD while he may be found... | Call to urgent and diligent seeking of the Lord. |
| Jer 29:13 | And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. | God's promise to those who seek Him wholeheartedly. |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek ye first the kingdom of God... | Prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness. |
| Matt 7:28-29 | the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority... | People's astonishment at Jesus' authoritative teaching. |
| Matt 13:9 | Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. | Call to attentive and receptive listening. |
| Matt 26:55 | I sat daily with you teaching in the temple... | Jesus' regular public teaching, contrasting His arrest. |
| Mark 12:37 | And the common people heard him gladly. | The general populace's eager reception of Jesus' words. |
| Luke 8:18 | Take heed therefore how ye hear... | Importance of the manner of hearing God's word. |
| Luke 11:28 | Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. | Blessedness of not just hearing, but also obeying. |
| Luke 19:47-48 | And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests... sought to destroy him... For all the people were very attentive to hear him. | Immediate context showing Jesus' daily teaching and the people's attentiveness. |
| John 7:14 | Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. | Jesus' teaching in the Temple during a festival. |
| John 8:2 | And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him... | Another instance of Jesus teaching in the temple and people coming early to Him. |
| John 18:20 | I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always resort... | Jesus' consistent public teaching. |
| Acts 2:46 | And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple... | The early church's practice of daily gathering, echoing Jesus' pattern. |
| Acts 5:42 | And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. | Apostles continued the daily public instruction. |
| Acts 10:33 | Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. | Cornelius' household eagerly gathering to hear God's message. |
| 1 Tim 4:13 | Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. | Paul's instruction for diligent engagement with God's word. |
| Jas 1:22 | But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only... | Emphasizing the need for action based on hearing the word. |
Luke 21 verses
Luke 21 38 Meaning
Luke 21:38 illustrates the extraordinary diligence and hunger of the common people for Jesus' teaching. It portrays them gathering very early each morning in the Temple courts, prioritizing hearing His words above all else, underscoring both Jesus' profound impact and their sincere desire for spiritual instruction during His final days in Jerusalem.
Luke 21 38 Context
Luke 21:38 concludes the Olivet Discourse (Luke 21:5-36), where Jesus prophesies the destruction of the Temple and signs of His return and the end of the age, and warns His disciples to be watchful and pray. The preceding verse, Luke 21:37, states that "in the daytime he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives." This sets the daily routine described in verse 38: Jesus would teach in the public courts of the Temple by day, retreat to the Mount of Olives at night, and then the people would return early each morning to hear Him. This period immediately precedes His crucifixion, highlighting His unwavering commitment to teaching right up to the end and the contrasting popular reception versus the religious leaders' plots. Historically, the Temple was the spiritual and social hub of Jerusalem, making it a natural gathering place for public instruction and discussion.
Luke 21 38 Word analysis
- And: Links this action directly to the previous verse (Luke 21:37), establishing a continuous daily routine of Jesus' public ministry and the people's response.
- all the people: (Greek: pas ho laos - πᾶς ὁ λαός) Signifies the entire populace, indicating a widespread appeal of Jesus' teachings beyond a select few. This emphasis on "all" subtly contrasts with the limited and hostile group of religious leaders. It suggests a popular enthusiasm that unnerved His adversaries.
- came early in the morning: (Greek: orthrizon - ὄρθριζον) The verb is in the imperfect tense, denoting a habitual or continuous action. They weren't just coming early on one day; they habitually came early. Orthrizon means to "rise at dawn" or "come early in the morning," implying considerable effort, dedication, and eagerness to be present at the start of His teaching. It demonstrates a high level of priority placed on hearing Jesus.
- to him: (Greek: pros auton - πρὸς αὐτόν) Directly emphasizes Jesus as the singular focus and purpose of their early gathering. Their desire was to specifically hear Him.
- in the temple: (Greek: en tō hierō - ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ) Refers to the expansive outer courts of the Jerusalem Temple complex, accessible to all, not the inner sanctuaries. This was a customary place for public teaching, discussion, and religious instruction in ancient Israel.
- for to hear him: (Greek: akouein autou - ἀκούειν αὐτοῦ) The infinitive phrase akouein ("to hear") expresses the purpose for which they came. They didn't come to just see, but actively to listen to and receive His words. "Hearing" in this biblical context often implies attentive listening with an intent to understand and obey.
- Words-group analysis:
- "And all the people came early in the morning": This phrase conveys a scene of persistent devotion. The use of "all" stresses the breadth of His appeal, while "early in the morning" (a time often reserved for personal affairs or urgent business) underscores the profound value these people placed on Jesus' teaching.
- "to him in the temple, for to hear him": This concisely states both the target (Jesus, in the Temple) and the motive (to listen and learn). It highlights a deliberate, purpose-driven action. They sought Him out, prioritizing His spiritual wisdom in a place consecrated for divine encounter.
Luke 21 38 Bonus section
This consistent daily teaching in the temple served as a direct challenge to the authority and doctrines of the Sanhedrin. Jesus, operating outside their traditional power structure, garnered massive public support right under their noses. The enthusiasm of the "all the people" also explains why the chief priests and scribes "could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him" (Luke 19:48). They couldn't openly arrest Him because of the crowds, hence their clandestine plot. The scene highlights the authenticity of Jesus' message; it drew people not by force or coercion, but by its intrinsic power and authority, prompting them to make a deliberate effort. This daily engagement in the temple courts also underscores the accessible nature of Jesus' ministry – He taught where the common people gathered.
Luke 21 38 Commentary
Luke 21:38 provides a powerful snapshot of Jesus' final days of public ministry, encapsulating both His unwavering dedication to teaching God's truth and the remarkable spiritual hunger of the ordinary people. While the religious establishment actively plotted against Him (Luke 19:47), the common populace demonstrated profound diligence by waking before dawn, traveling to the vast Temple courts, and dedicating their precious morning hours solely to absorb His words. This daily ritual reveals a reciprocal commitment: Jesus faithfully delivered His message, and the people eagerly received it. Their consistent, early presence stands as a testament to the life-transforming power they found in His teaching. This verse implicitly contrasts this vibrant spiritual engagement with the hardened hearts and rejection of the ruling religious authorities, setting the stage for the dramatic events of the Passion week where their differing responses would lead to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. It challenges believers today to reflect on their own dedication to seeking and hearing God's word daily. For instance, are we willing to carve out the 'early morning' of our busiest schedules to encounter Christ in Scripture and prayer? Do we approach His Word with the same hunger and prioritization seen in the crowds gathered in the temple?