Joh 2:19-22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for John 2:19-21: 2:19-21 Destroy this temple: Herod the Great began reconstructing the Temple’s magnificent structure in 20 BC , and work on it continued until AD 64. This explains why Jesus’ audience was amazed when he claimed he could destroy and rebuild it in a few days. However, Jesus spoke figuratively of his own body as the temple where God was present (see 1:14 , 51 )—his body was destroyed and restored in three days through the resurrection, rendering the Jerusalem Temple and its services obsolete. Later, at his trial, Jesus’ symbolic reference to destroying the Temple was used as evidence of blasphemy (Mark 14:58 ).

a2:19-21►

dMark 14:58►

‏ John 2:19-22

Summary for John 2:19-21: 2:19-21 ^a Destroy this temple: Herod the Great began reconstructing the Temple’s magnificent structure in 20 BC, and work on it continued until AD 64. This explains why Jesus’ audience was amazed when he claimed he could destroy and rebuild it in a few days. However, Jesus spoke figuratively of his own body as the temple where God was present (see 1:14 ^b, 51 ^c)—his body was destroyed and restored in three days through the resurrection, rendering the Jerusalem Temple and its services obsolete. Later, at his trial, Jesus’ symbolic reference to destroying the Temple was used as evidence of blasphemy (Mark 14:58 ^d).
2:22 ^e they believed: Witnessing a miracle from God can inspire belief, but it is not the deepest faith possible (20:29 ^f).