Luke 21:38
And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸς
the people
G2992
λαὸς
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
4 of 12
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
ὤρθριζεν
came early in the morning
G3719
ὤρθριζεν
came early in the morning
Strong's:
G3719
Word #:
5 of 12
to use the dawn, i.e., (by implication) to repair betimes
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
6 of 12
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερῷ
the temple
G2411
ἱερῷ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
10 of 12
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
Historical Context
Temple courts opened at dawn for morning sacrifices. People arriving 'early' sought prime listening position near Jesus. This scene fulfills Isaiah 50:4: 'The Lord GOD... wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.' Luke brackets Jesus's ministry with temple teaching: beginning at age twelve (2:46-47) and climaxing in final week's intensive instruction.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the people's eagerness to hear Jesus teach about genuine spiritual hunger versus religious routine?
- How can popular support for Jesus quickly turn to rejection, and what does this reveal about human nature?
- What would it look like to approach God's Word with the dawn-rising eagerness these people showed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him (καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὤρθριζεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ ἀκούειν αὐτοῦ, kai pas ho laos ōrthrizen pros auton en tō hierō akouein autou)—Pas ho laos (all the people) emphasizes widespread popular support. Ōrthrizō (to rise early, come at dawn) in imperfect tense shows they repeatedly came at first light, eager to secure position. The purpose infinitive akouein autou (to hear him) reveals hunger for Jesus's teaching.
This creates poignant irony: while religious leaders plot Jesus's death (22:2), common people flock to hear Him. Their eagerness—arriving at dawn, filling the temple courts—demonstrates authentic spiritual hunger that contrasts with official rejection. Yet this same crowd will be manipulated within days to cry 'Crucify him!' (23:21), showing fickleness of popular opinion and leaders' power to sway masses. Still, in this moment, popular support protects Jesus, delaying arrest until Passover night when crowds are absent.