Matthew 24:2
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Matthew 24:2
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Chapter Context
Matthew 24 is a biographical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of worship, wisdom, holiness. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-90 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christianity was separating from Judaism following Jerusalem's destruction.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-51: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Matthew and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Matthew 24:2
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Analysis
There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down (οὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ ὧδε λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον)—The emphatic double negative (οὐ μή) makes this prophecy absolute and unavoidable. Jesus predicts total destruction, fulfilled precisely when Titus's Roman legions sacked Jerusalem in AD 70. Josephus records that soldiers pried apart stones to extract gold that had melted between them when Romans set the temple aflame.
This echoes Micah 3:12 ("Zion shall be plowed as a field") and demonstrates Jesus's prophetic authority. The phrase katalyō (thrown down) is the same word used when Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19)—speaking of his body. The physical temple's destruction validated the spiritual temple's resurrection.
Historical Context
The Romans besieged Jerusalem from April to September AD 70. Josephus reports that 1.1 million Jews died and 97,000 were taken captive. The temple was burned on the 9th of Av (Tisha B'Av), the same calendar date Babylon destroyed Solomon's temple in 586 BC. Only portions of the retaining walls remain today, including the Western Wall. Eusebius and later historians confirm no stone of the temple proper remained upon another.
Reflection
- How does the AD 70 fulfillment of this prophecy authenticate Jesus as a true prophet according to Deuteronomy 18:21-22?
- What does God's willingness to destroy his own temple teach about his priorities regarding heart worship versus ritual?
- How should the certainty of this fulfilled prophecy increase our confidence in Jesus's still-future prophecies?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 26:18, Micah 3:12, Luke 19:44, 2 Peter 3:11