Mark 13:2

KJV

And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answering {G611} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Seest thou {G991} these {G5025} great {G3173} buildings {G3619}? there shall {G863} not {G3364} be left {G863} one stone {G3037} upon {G1909} another {G3037}, that {G3739} shall {G2647} not {G3364} be thrown down {G2647}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You see all these great buildings?" Yeshua said to him, "They will be totally destroyed -- not a single stone will be left standing!"

Berean Standard Bible

“Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left here one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 13:2 records Jesus' startling prophecy regarding the magnificent Second Temple in Jerusalem, declaring that its immense, seemingly indestructible stones would be completely dismantled, leaving no stone standing upon another. This pronouncement, delivered in response to the disciples' awe at the Temple's grandeur, serves as a profound statement on the transience of even the most revered earthly structures, foreshadowing a radical shift in God's redemptive plan and highlighting His ultimate sovereignty over history and human institutions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates what is widely known as the "Olivet Discourse," a pivotal prophetic teaching delivered by Jesus on the Mount of Olives, directly overlooking the Temple complex. The preceding verse, [Mark 13:1](/mark/13-1 "Mark 13:1 - Disciples Admire the Temple"), sets the scene with one of Jesus' disciples drawing His attention to the Temple's "great buildings" and "stones." Jesus' response in [Mark 13:2](/mark/13-2 "Mark 13:2 - Jesus Prophesies the Temple's Destruction") is an immediate and dramatic counterpoint to their admiration, shifting the focus from the physical splendor and perceived permanence of the Temple to its impending and total destruction. This prophecy then serves as the catalyst for the disciples' subsequent questions about the timing of these events and the signs of His coming and the end of the age, which Jesus addresses throughout the remainder of [Mark 13](/mark/13 "Mark 13 - The Olivet Discourse").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Temple referred to here is Herod's Temple, a massive and ambitious reconstruction of the Second Temple, which had been ongoing for decades and was not yet fully completed in Jesus' time. It was an architectural marvel, adorned with gold, marble, and precious stones, making it one of the most impressive structures in the ancient world. For the Jewish people, the Temple was not merely a building but the very center of their religious, national, and cultural identity—the place where God's presence dwelt among His people, where sacrifices were offered, and where the Law was taught. Its perceived permanence was deeply intertwined with their hopes for a Messiah who would restore Israel's glory. Jesus' prophecy of its utter destruction would have been profoundly shocking and almost inconceivable to His listeners, challenging their deeply held assumptions about God's enduring presence in that specific physical location.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 13:2 introduces several critical themes that permeate the Olivet Discourse and the broader New Testament narrative. Primarily, it underscores the **prophecy of destruction**, specifically the complete leveling of the Second Temple, which was fulfilled with chilling accuracy in 70 AD by the Roman armies. This event highlights **divine sovereignty and judgment**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over history and the consequences of a nation's rejection of His Son. Furthermore, the prophecy emphasizes the **transience of earthly structures and institutions**, reminding believers that even the most magnificent human achievements are temporary and subject to decay and divine decree, urging a focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. It also subtly introduces the theme of **transition from the old covenant to the new**, where the physical Temple, with its sacrificial system, would be superseded by the spiritual reality found in Christ and His body, the Church, as the true dwelling place of God, as seen in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction and His Resurrection").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **great (Greek, _mégas'_):** This adjective (G3173) describes the buildings, emphasizing their immense size, grandeur, and impressive scale. It highlights the human perspective of awe and wonder that the disciples felt, contrasting sharply with Jesus' prophetic declaration of their ephemeral nature. The word conveys not just physical bigness but also significance and importance in the eyes of the beholder.
* **buildings (Greek, _oikodomḗ'_):** This noun (G3619) refers to the structures or architecture of the Temple complex. While literally meaning "building" or "edifice," it can also figuratively imply "confirmation" or "edification." Here, it points to the physical construction that the disciples admired, setting up the dramatic contrast with Jesus' prophecy of its complete disassembly.
* **thrown down (Greek, _katalýō'_):** This verb (G2647) means "to loosen down," "disintegrate," or "demolish." It conveys the idea of complete destruction, not merely damage. The use of this word underscores the totality of the Temple's future fate, indicating that it would be utterly dismantled, stone by stone, leaving nothing intact.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answering said unto him,"**: This opening clause establishes Jesus' direct response to the disciple's observation in [Mark 13:1](/mark/13-1 "Mark 13:1 - Disciples Admire the Temple"). The phrase "answering said" (using G611 `apokrínomai` and G2036 `épō`) indicates that Jesus is not merely commenting but providing a definitive, authoritative reply to their awe-struck admiration for the Temple's physical grandeur.
* **"Seest thou these great buildings?"**: This is a rhetorical question posed by Jesus, drawing attention back to the very structures the disciples were admiring. It acknowledges their focus on the physical magnificence ("great buildings") of the Temple, setting up the dramatic contrast with His subsequent prophecy. It invites them to truly "see" beyond the superficial splendor to the deeper spiritual reality.
* **"there shall not be left one stone upon another,"**: This is the core of Jesus' shocking prophecy. The phrase "not be left" (G863 `aphíēmi` with the emphatic double negative G3364 `ou mḗ`) conveys an absolute and certain negation. The imagery of "one stone upon another" (G3037 `líthos` repeated with G1909 `epí`) vividly depicts total demolition. It means that the destruction will be so complete that no part of the structure will remain standing in its original configuration.
* **"that shall not be thrown down."**: This final clause reiterates and reinforces the absolute nature of the destruction. The verb "thrown down" (G2647 `katalýō`) emphasizes the act of demolition, confirming that the absence of stones remaining "upon another" is due to a deliberate and complete dismantling. The double negative "that shall not be thrown down" (G3739 `hós` with G3364 `ou mḗ` and G2647 `katalýō`) further amplifies the certainty and totality of the Temple's predicted ruin.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 13:2 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Prophecy**, as Jesus foretells a future event with absolute certainty. This prophecy is delivered with striking **Hyperbole** in the phrase "not be left one stone upon another," which, while literally fulfilled in 70 AD, serves to emphasize the utter and complete destruction of the Temple, leaving nothing of its former glory intact. The rhetorical question, "Seest thou these great buildings?", functions as a form of **Irony**, contrasting the disciples' admiration for the Temple's permanence with Jesus' immediate declaration of its transience. This sets up a dramatic **Foreshadowing** of the end of the old covenant era and the coming of a new spiritual reality, where God's presence would no longer be confined to a physical temple.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus' prophecy in Mark 13:2 carries profound theological weight, signaling a pivotal moment in redemptive history. The destruction of the Temple, the very heart of Jewish worship and national identity, signified the end of an era—the old covenant system centered on animal sacrifices and a physical dwelling place for God. It underscored that God's presence was no longer bound by brick and mortar, but would find its ultimate expression in the person of Jesus Christ and, subsequently, in His body, the Church. This event was a divine judgment on a nation that had largely rejected its Messiah, but also a sovereign act paving the way for the universal spread of the Gospel, unhindered by geographical or ceremonial constraints. It powerfully illustrates God's control over history and His faithfulness to His redemptive plan, even through acts of judgment.

* [Matthew 24:2](/matthew/24-2 "Matthew 24:2 - Parallel Account of Temple Destruction")
* [Luke 21:6](/luke/21-6 "Luke 21:6 - Parallel Account of Temple Destruction")
* [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' prophecy in Mark 13:2 serves as a timeless reminder that our ultimate security and hope should never be placed in transient earthly structures, institutions, or achievements, no matter how grand or enduring they may seem. The disciples' admiration for the Temple, a symbol of their faith and national pride, was met with a stark declaration of its impermanence, urging us to consider where our true treasures lie. For believers today, this passage calls us to cultivate an eternal perspective, recognizing that worldly glories fade, but God's Word and His spiritual kingdom endure forever. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we investing our time, energy, and affections in what is temporary, or in what truly lasts—our relationship with God, the building up of His spiritual body, and the advancement of His eternal purposes? This truth should liberate us from the anxieties of a world in flux and anchor our hope firmly in the unchanging character and promises of God, who alone is truly immutable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my ultimate trust and security (e.g., career, wealth, relationships, institutions)?**
* **How does Jesus' prophecy of the Temple's destruction challenge my own assumptions about permanence and stability in this world?**
* **In what ways can I shift my focus from temporary earthly achievements to investing in God's eternal kingdom?**
* **How does knowing that Jesus' prophecies are fulfilled strengthen my faith in His Word and His sovereignty today?**

### FAQ
**When was Jesus' prophecy of the Temple's destruction fulfilled?**

Answer: Jesus' prophecy in [Mark 13:2](/mark/13-2 "Mark 13:2 - Jesus Prophesies the Temple's Destruction") was fulfilled with chilling accuracy in 70 AD, approximately 38 years after Jesus spoke these words. The Roman army, led by General Titus, besieged Jerusalem, and in the course of their conquest, they destroyed the city and completely leveled the Temple. Historical accounts, particularly from the Jewish historian Josephus, confirm that the destruction was so thorough that the Temple was indeed dismantled stone by stone, precisely as Jesus had foretold. The Romans even dug up the foundations in their search for melted gold that had seeped into the cracks of the stones during the burning of the Temple, leaving "not one stone upon another."

**What is the significance of the Temple's destruction for Christian theology?**

Answer: The destruction of the Temple in 70 AD holds immense theological significance for Christians. It marked the definitive end of the old covenant sacrificial system, which had been rendered obsolete by Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice on the cross ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The physical Temple, once the dwelling place of God's presence, was replaced by the spiritual reality of God dwelling in believers through the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple")). Jesus Himself became the "true temple" ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction and His Resurrection")), and His death and resurrection inaugurated a new covenant where access to God is no longer through a physical building or ritual, but directly through faith in Him. This event underscored the transition from a national, localized religion to a universal faith available to all peoples ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jesus' prophecy of the Temple's destruction in [Mark 13:2](/mark/13-2 "Mark 13:2 - Jesus Prophesies the Temple's Destruction") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in the historical demolition of a building, but in the radical redefinition of God's dwelling place and the means of access to Him through Christ Himself. The Temple, for centuries, had been the physical locus of God's presence and the center of Israel's worship, where sacrifices were offered for the atonement of sins. However, Jesus declared that He was greater than the Temple ([Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Something Greater Than the Temple")), and He explicitly linked the Temple's destruction to His own body, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection as the New Temple")). His death on the cross served as the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice, rendering the Temple's sacrificial system obsolete ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")). Through His resurrection, Jesus became the new and eternal "temple"—the true meeting place between God and humanity, the perfect High Priest, and the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Now, God's presence dwells not in a building made with hands, but in the resurrected Christ and, by extension, in the Church, which is His body and the spiritual temple built of living stones ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4-5 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Believers as Living Stones")). Thus, the prophecy of the physical Temple's demise ultimately points to the glory and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of all that the Temple symbolized.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 21:6

[As for] these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Matthew 24:2

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.

1 Kings 9:7

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

1 Kings 9:8

And at this house, [which] is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

Micah 3:12

Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

Luke 19:41

¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Luke 19:44

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.