Mark 14:58
We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
G3754
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 20
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
λέγοντος
say
G3004
λέγοντος
say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
καταλύσω
will destroy
G2647
καταλύσω
will destroy
Strong's:
G2647
Word #:
8 of 20
to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e., (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare g2646) to halt for the night
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χειροποίητον
that is made with hands
G5499
χειροποίητον
that is made with hands
Strong's:
G5499
Word #:
13 of 20
manufactured, i.e., of human construction
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διὰ
within
G1223
διὰ
within
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
15 of 20
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ἡμερῶν
days
G2250
ἡμερῶν
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
17 of 20
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
Hebrews 9:11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;John 2:19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.Hebrews 9:24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:Acts 7:48Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,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,Daniel 2:34Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Historical Context
Herod's Temple renovation (begun 20 BC) was still ongoing during Jesus's ministry, having already consumed 46 years (John 2:20). Any threat against it was both religious blasphemy and political sedition, as Rome sanctioned the Temple and profited from its operation. The distinction between 'made with hands' and 'without hands' may reflect Jewish speculation about the eschatological temple described in Ezekiel 40-48.
Questions for Reflection
- How did the witnesses pervert Jesus's true statement about His resurrection body into a false charge?
- What does the temple 'made without hands' teach about the new covenant and the Church?
- Why would threatening the physical temple be both religiously and politically dangerous in first-century Judaism?
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Analysis & Commentary
We heard him say, I will destroy this temple (ὅτι Ἐγὼ καταλύσω τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον, hoti Egō katalysō ton naon touton)—The verb καταλύω (katalyō) means to demolish or overthrow. Jesus did say something similar (John 2:19): 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,' but He spoke of His body, not Herod's temple. Made with hands (χειροποίητον, cheiropoiēton) versus made without hands (ἀχειροποίητον, acheiropoiēton) employs theological categories.
Stephen would later be accused with similar charges (Acts 6:14). The terms evoke Isaiah 66:1-2's contrast between earthly temples and God's true dwelling. The witnesses twisted Jesus's prophetic sign into sedition against the Temple, punishable by death. Their lie contained garbled truth—Jesus would indeed inaugurate a new temple, His resurrection body and the Church (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21), replacing the old covenant worship system.