Matthew 24:1

KJV

¶ And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} went out {G1831}, and departed {G4198} from {G575} the temple {G2411}: and {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} came {G4334} to him for to shew {G1925} him {G846} the buildings {G3619} of the temple {G2411}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As Yeshua left the Temple and was going away, his talmidim came and called his attention to its buildings.

Berean Standard Bible

As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings.

American Standard Version

And Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 24:1 serves as a crucial transitional verse, marking Jesus' physical and symbolic departure from the Jerusalem Temple and the established religious system it represented. As Jesus exits, His disciples draw His attention to the Temple's magnificent structures, prompting the profound prophetic discourse that follows, known as the Olivet Discourse, which addresses the Temple's destruction and the signs of the end times. This moment underscores a pivotal shift from an old covenant order to a new spiritual reality centered on Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' final public teachings and pronouncements of judgment upon the scribes and Pharisees in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes Against the Pharisees"). Having delivered a series of seven woes and a lament over Jerusalem, culminating in the declaration that Jerusalem and its Temple would be left "desolate" ([Matthew 23:38](/matthew/23-38 "Matthew 23:38 - Jerusalem Left Desolate")), Jesus' physical departure from the Temple precincts is highly symbolic. It sets the stage for a private discourse with His disciples on the Mount of Olives, where He reveals further prophecies concerning the Temple's destruction and the end of the age. The disciples' seemingly innocent observation about the Temple's grandeur directly triggers Jesus' detailed prophecy in [Matthew 24:2](/matthew/24-2 "Matthew 24:2 - Temple Destruction Prophecy"), linking their immediate concern with His broader eschatological teaching. This scene is also recorded in [Mark 13:1-2](/mark/13-1-2 "Mark 13:1-2 - Jesus Predicts Temple Destruction") and [Luke 21:5-6](/luke/21-5-6 "Luke 21:5-6 - Jesus Predicts Temple Destruction"), affirming its significance across the Synoptic Gospels.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Temple in Jerusalem, particularly the one rebuilt and expanded by Herod the Great, was an architectural marvel and the undisputed center of Jewish religious, national, and cultural life. Construction had begun around 20 BCE and was still ongoing in Jesus' time, not being fully completed until 63 CE. Its massive stones, towering walls, and ornate decorations made it one of the most impressive structures in the ancient world, inspiring awe and pride among the Jewish people. Pilgrims from across the Roman Empire would travel to Jerusalem to worship there. The disciples' admiration for its "buildings" (οἰκοδομαί, _oikodomai_) reflects this widespread reverence and the common belief in the Temple's permanence and divine protection. For Jesus to depart from such a revered institution, especially after denouncing its leadership, carried immense weight, signaling a profound shift in God's redemptive plan away from a localized, physical sanctuary.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 24:1 introduces several critical themes that permeate the subsequent Olivet Discourse. Firstly, it highlights the **Transition and Departure** from the old covenant system centered on the physical Temple to a new spiritual reality. Jesus' exit symbolizes the end of an era and the beginning of a new way of worship that is not tied to a specific building or location, as later articulated in [John 4:21-24](/john/4-21-24 "John 4:21-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). Secondly, there is a stark contrast between **Material vs. Spiritual Focus**. The disciples' admiration for the Temple's physical grandeur underscores humanity's tendency to value transient earthly achievements, while Jesus immediately shifts the focus to its impending destruction, emphasizing the impermanence of all physical structures in contrast to eternal spiritual truths. Finally, the verse serves as a direct **Foreshadowing of Judgment**, setting the stage for Jesus' detailed prophecies of the Temple's demolition and the broader eschatological events, which include the signs of His second coming and the end of the age, as elaborated in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jesus (Greek, _Iēsoûs'_):** The name of our Lord, derived from the Hebrew "Yehoshua," meaning "Yahweh saves." His departure from the Temple is not merely a physical movement but a deliberate act by the One who embodies God's saving presence, signifying a shift in the locus of salvation from the Temple to Himself.
* **departed (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** This verb signifies "to issue forth," "come out," or "go away." Coupled with _poreúomai_ (also translated "departed" or "went out" in some contexts, G4198), it emphasizes a decisive and purposeful exit. Jesus' departure is a spiritual and theological statement, not just a change of location, marking a definitive separation from the Temple's established order.
* **temple (Greek, _hierón'_):** This term refers to the entire sacred precinct or complex, including all its courts, porticos, and surrounding structures, rather than the inner sanctuary (ναός, _naós_). The disciples were showing Jesus the vastness and impressive external "buildings" (οἰκοδομή, _oikodomḗ_) of this sprawling religious center, highlighting its immense scale and the human pride associated with it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple:"**: This clause describes Jesus' physical exit from the Temple precincts. The dual verbs "went out" (exérchomai) and "departed" (poreúomai) emphasize the finality and deliberate nature of His departure. This is more than a casual stroll; it is a symbolic act signifying the end of His public ministry within the Temple courts and a theological turning point from the old covenant system.
* **"and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple."**: As Jesus leaves, His disciples approach Him, drawing His attention to the magnificent structures of the Temple. Their focus on the "buildings" (oikodomai) reveals their awe at the physical grandeur and their continued attachment to the material aspects of the sacred space. This action serves as the immediate catalyst for Jesus' subsequent prophetic discourse, as their admiration for the Temple's permanence contrasts sharply with His impending revelation of its destruction.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 24:1 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where Jesus' physical departure from the Temple is deeply symbolic of a spiritual and theological shift. It represents the end of the old covenant era, where God's presence was primarily localized in the Temple, and the inauguration of a new covenant where God's presence resides in Christ and His people. This departure also functions as **Foreshadowing**, immediately setting the stage for Jesus' prophecy of the Temple's destruction in the very next verse and initiating the broader eschatological discourse. The disciples' action of "shewing" Jesus the buildings creates **Dramatic Irony**, as their admiration for the Temple's permanence unwittingly prompts Jesus to reveal its imminent and complete demolition, a truth they are not yet prepared for. The contrast between the disciples' focus on the visible, material grandeur and Jesus' impending focus on the invisible, spiritual realities and future judgment also highlights a thematic **Juxtaposition**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 24:1 marks a profound theological turning point, signifying the transition from the old covenant order, centered on the physical Temple and its sacrificial system, to the new covenant established through Christ. Jesus' departure from the Temple is not merely a change of location but a powerful prophetic act, declaring the Temple's obsolescence as the primary locus of God's presence and redemptive activity. It underscores the truth that God's dwelling is no longer confined to human-made structures but is now found in Christ Himself and, by extension, in the community of believers who constitute His spiritual body. This shift emphasizes the spiritual nature of true worship, moving beyond external rituals and magnificent buildings to an internal reality of faith and obedience. The disciples' admiration for the Temple's grandeur, juxtaposed with Jesus' subsequent prophecy of its destruction, serves as a timeless reminder that earthly achievements and institutions, no matter how impressive, are transient, and ultimate hope must be placed in God's eternal kingdom and His Son.

* [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "Jesus Predicts His Resurrection as the New Temple")
* [Acts 7:48-50](/acts/7-48-50 "God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made with Hands")
* [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "Believers as God's Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 24:1 invites deep reflection on where we place our trust and admiration. The disciples, like many throughout history, were captivated by the visible, the grand, and the seemingly permanent. Yet, Jesus' response immediately pivots to the impermanence of such structures and the coming judgment. For us today, this challenges us to examine our own priorities: Do we invest our greatest energy and admiration in physical institutions, material possessions, or outward appearances, even in the context of faith? Or do we prioritize the spiritual realities of God's kingdom, the building up of His people, and the eternal truths revealed in Christ? This verse calls us to discern God's active work in our present moment, recognizing when He might be "departing" from old ways or systems to usher in new paradigms, even if it means letting go of what is familiar or outwardly impressive. It urges us to cultivate a spiritual focus that transcends the temporary and embraces the eternal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "buildings" or earthly structures, whether physical or institutional, do I tend to admire or rely on more than God Himself?**
* **How does Jesus' departure from the Temple challenge my understanding of God's presence and where true worship takes place?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to "depart" from old ways or familiar comforts to embrace a new, more spiritually focused path?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus depart from the Temple at this specific moment?**

Answer: Jesus' departure from the Temple in [Matthew 24:1](/matthew/24-1 "Jesus Departs the Temple") was highly symbolic and strategically timed. It immediately followed His scathing denunciation of the Jewish religious leaders and His lament over Jerusalem in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Woes Against the Pharisees"). His exit signified a definitive turning point, marking the end of His public ministry within the Temple courts and a prophetic declaration that the old covenant system, centered on the physical Temple, was drawing to a close. It was a visual representation of God's judgment on a religious system that had largely rejected Him, paving the way for the new covenant established through His sacrifice.

**What was the significance of the disciples pointing out the Temple's buildings?**

Answer: The disciples' action of drawing Jesus' attention to the Temple's magnificent "buildings" ([Matthew 24:1](/matthew/24-1 "Jesus Departs the Temple")) highlights their awe and perhaps their lingering attachment to the physical grandeur and perceived permanence of the Herodian Temple. This was a common sentiment among Jews, who took immense pride in the Temple as the center of their national and religious identity. Their observation, though seemingly innocent, served as the direct catalyst for Jesus' profound prophecy of the Temple's complete destruction in [Matthew 24:2](/matthew/24-2 "Temple Destruction Prophecy"), setting the stage for the entire Olivet Discourse on end-time events. It underscores the contrast between human focus on the material and God's focus on spiritual truth and ultimate judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 24:1, with Jesus' departure from the Temple, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment of all that the Temple represented. The physical Temple, once the dwelling place of God's presence and the center of atonement, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ Himself. As Jesus declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the "temple of his body" ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "Jesus Predicts His Resurrection as the New Temple")). His departure from the stone structure signifies that the true sanctuary and means of access to God is no longer a building but a Person. Through His death and resurrection, Christ became the perfect sacrifice, rendering the Temple's sacrificial system obsolete, as detailed in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ, the High Priest of the New Covenant"). Furthermore, Christ's fulfillment extends to His people, for believers are now collectively the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "Believers as God's Temple")) and "living stones" built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "Believers as Living Stones")), with Christ as the cornerstone. Thus, Jesus' exit from the physical Temple in Matthew 24:1 is a profound act, declaring that He is the new and eternal Temple, through whom all true worship and access to God are now made possible.

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

Mark 13:1

¶ And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings [are here]!

Mark 13:37

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Ezekiel 8:6

He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? [even] the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, [and] thou shalt see greater abominations.

Luke 21:5

¶ And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Jeremiah 6:8

Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.

John 2:20

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?