![]() It was an appropriate time for such a discourse. As He sat on the Mount of Olives: Removed from the temple, yet overlooking it, the disciples asked Jesus questions about His bold prediction concerning the destruction of the temple. Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”Ī. (3) Jesus’ prediction brings up two questions. “We may also observe how little God values splendid houses of prayer when they are made dens of thieves.” (Poole) 2. We should expect a literal fulfillment for these as well. The literal fulfillment of this prophecy establishes the tone for the rest of the prophecies in the chapter. There was a real temple, and it was really destroyed. That shall not be thrown down: This prophecy was fulfilled literally. “Josephus says the stones were white and strong fifty feet long, twenty-four broad, and sixteen thick. The destruction was so complete that today they have true difficulty learning exactly where the foundation of the temple was. Ornate gold detail work in the roof melted down in the cracks between the stone walls of the temple, and to retrieve the gold, the Roman commander ordered that the temple be dismantled stone by stone. ![]() Roman soldiers surrounded it, and one drunken soldier started a fire that soon engulfed the whole building. ![]() It is said that at the fall of Jerusalem, the last surviving Jews of the city fled to the temple, because it was the strongest and most secure building in the city. “Titus (it is said) would have preserved the temple, as one of the world’s wonders, from being burnt, but could not such was the fury of his soldiers, set a-work by God doubtless.” (Trapp) In AD 70 Jerusalem was leveled, including the temple – just as Jesus said would happen. But ultimately Roman soldiers crushed the rebels. Not one stone shall be left here upon another: Some 40 years after Jesus said this, there was a widespread Jewish revolution against the Romans in Palestine, and they enjoyed many early successes. “These things, not building, implying indifference to the splendours admired by the disciples.” (Bruce)ĭ. Do you not see all these things? The disciples wanted Jesus to look at the beautiful buildings Jesus told them to turn around and take a good look at those things. Where there was no gold, there were blocks of marble of such a pure white that from a distance strangers thought there was snow on the temple.Ĭ. The Jewish historian Josephus said that the temple was covered with gold plates, and when the sun shone on them it was blinding to look at. But the Second Temple wasn’t just big it was also beautiful. The temple was finished only seven years before it was destroyed. Herod’s plan for rebuilding started in 19 B.C. After Herod’s work, the temple was huge: nearly 500 yards or meters long and 400 yards or meters wide. ![]() “Josephus the Jew (Antiquities 15.14) tells us that for eight whole years together he kept 10,000 men a-work about it and that for magnificence and stateliness, it exceeded Solomon’s temple.” (Trapp) This temple was the center of Jewish life for almost a thousand years – so much so, that it was customary to swear by the temple (Matthew 23:16), and speaking against the temple could be considered blasphemy (Acts 6:13). Herod the Great (who ruled when Jesus was born) greatly expanded and improved it. His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple: After the destruction of Solomon’s temple, this temple was originally built by Zerubbabel and Ezra (Ezra 6:15). “They came to their Master, going before in a deeply preoccupied mood, and tried to change the gloomy current of His thoughts by inviting Him to look back at the sacred structure.” (Bruce)ī. He was going away, like one who did not mean to return.” (Bruce) Went out and departed: “There is an emphasis on the idea of the verb. Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple: Jesus would contend no more with the religious leaders, and never again come to the temple in His earthly ministry. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”Ī. Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. (1-2) Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple. The destruction of the temple and its implications. ![]()
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