John 2:19
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 16
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 16
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτόν
it
G846
αὐτόν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 16
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡμέραις
days
G2250
ἡμέραις
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
14 of 16
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
Cross References
Mark 14:58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.Mark 15:29And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,Matthew 27:40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.Matthew 12:40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.Acts 3:15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.Acts 2:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.Acts 2:32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.Mark 8:31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.Romans 6:4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Historical Context
Herod's temple renovation began around 20 BC; 'forty-six years' dates this to 27-28 AD, early in Christ's ministry. The temple won't be complete until 63 AD, shortly before Rome destroys it (70 AD). Christ's resurrection body becomes the true temple where God dwells.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's resurrection vindicate His claims about being greater than the temple?
- In what ways is the church, Christ's body, now the temple of God?
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Analysis & Commentary
Christ's cryptic prophecy 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up' was deliberately ambiguous—speaking of His body's resurrection while using 'temple' metaphorically. The Jews' literal interpretation ('Forty and six years was this temple in building') revealed their spiritual blindness. John clarifies (v. 21-22) that disciples understood only after the resurrection. This claim—to rebuild the temple in three days—became a charge at His trial (Matthew 26:61), showing Christ's control over His own resurrection.