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.

{G3754} We {G2249} heard {G191} him {G846} say {G3004},{G3754} I {G1473} will destroy {G2647} this {G5126} temple {G3485} that is made with hands {G5499}, and {G2532} within {G1223} three {G5140} days {G2250} I will build {G3618} another {G243} made without hands {G886}.

"We heard him say, `I will destroy this Temple made with hands; and in three days I will build another one, not made with hands.'"

“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’”

We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.

Commentary

Context of Mark 14:58

Mark 14:58 is part of the account of Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, following His arrest. During this nocturnal proceeding, the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus to put Him to death. This particular verse records the testimony of some of these false witnesses, who distorted and misrepresented words Jesus had spoken earlier in His ministry. They twisted His prophetic statement about the temple, attempting to frame it as a direct threat against the revered Jerusalem Temple, which was a grave charge.

Key Themes and Messages

  • False Witness and Misinterpretation: The verse highlights the malicious intent of Jesus' accusers. They deliberately distorted His original words, which were spiritual in nature, into a literal and treasonous threat against the physical Temple. This demonstrates the injustice and deceit prevalent in His trial.
  • The Temple of His Body: The core message lies in understanding Jesus' true meaning. As clarified in John 2:21, when Jesus spoke of destroying and rebuilding the temple, He was referring to His own body. His death would "destroy" this temple, and His resurrection "within three days" would "build another" – a spiritual temple not made by human hands.
  • Prophecy of Resurrection: The phrase "within three days I will build another" is a direct prophecy of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. This statement, though twisted by His accusers, points to the miraculous and divine power He possessed, demonstrating His victory over death.
  • Shift from Physical to Spiritual: This verse underscores a profound shift in God's dwelling place. The physical Temple, "made with hands," was a temporary dwelling for God's presence. Jesus' death and resurrection ushered in a new era where God dwells not in buildings, but in the hearts of believers and in the resurrected Christ Himself. This concept is further developed in the New Testament, where believers are called the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Linguistic Insights

The distinction between "made with hands" and "made without hands" is crucial for understanding this verse:

  • "Made with hands" (Greek: cheiropoietos): This term refers to something physically constructed by human effort. It emphasizes the earthly, material nature of the Jerusalem Temple. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) often uses this term to describe idols, contrasting them with the living God.
  • "Made without hands" (Greek: acheiropoietos): This term signifies something not created by human effort, implying a divine or supernatural origin. It points to the spiritual, heavenly, and eternal nature of what Jesus would build – His resurrected body and, by extension, the spiritual body of believers (the Church). This concept is also echoed in 2 Corinthians 5:1 regarding our heavenly dwelling.

Practical Application and Reflection

Mark 14:58, despite being a false accusation, reveals profound truths about Jesus:

  • Jesus' Authority and Identity: This verse, when understood correctly through the lens of Jesus' original statement in John 2:19, highlights His divine authority over life and death, and His unique identity as the ultimate dwelling place of God.
  • Truth vs. Deception: It serves as a reminder to always seek the full truth and context, especially when encountering accusations or interpretations of spiritual matters. Misinformation and false testimony can lead to grave injustices.
  • The Spiritual Nature of Faith: The emphasis on the "temple made without hands" calls believers to understand that God's presence is not confined to physical structures but dwells in the spiritual reality of Christ and His Church. Our focus should be on building up the spiritual body of Christ, rather than solely on material constructions.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 2:19

    Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1

    ¶ For 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 9:11

    But 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;

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For 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 7:48

    Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

  • Daniel 2:34

    Thou 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.

  • Mark 15:29

    And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days,
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