Matthew 26:61

And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

And said {G2036}, This {G3778} fellow said {G5346}, I am able {G1410} to destroy {G2647} the temple {G3485} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} to build {G3618} it {G846} in {G1223} three {G5140} days {G2250}.

"This man said, `I can tear down God's Temple and build it again in three days.'"

and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of the climactic and unjust trial of Jesus before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the supreme judicial and ecclesiastical council of ancient Israel. Following His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, the religious leaders were determined to find a legal basis to condemn Him to death. Matthew 26:59 states they "sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death." The accusation in Matthew 26:61, though presented as testimony, was a deliberate distortion of Jesus' earlier words, designed to portray Him as a threat to the sacred Jewish temple and potentially as a seditionist against Roman authority, which protected the temple.

Key Themes and Messages

  • False Accusation and Perjury: The verse vividly illustrates the lengths to which Jesus' accusers would go, bearing false witness against Him. This was a clear violation of the Ninth Commandment, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour" (Exodus 20:16). Their testimony was inconsistent, as noted in Mark 14:59, showing their desperate attempt to fabricate a charge.
  • Misunderstanding of Jesus' Words: The core of the accusation stemmed from a deliberate misinterpretation of a profound statement Jesus made earlier in His ministry. While they quoted Him as speaking of the physical temple in Jerusalem, Jesus had actually referred to "the temple of his body" (John 2:21). His statement was a prophecy of His own death and resurrection.
  • Jesus as the True Temple: This incident underscores Jesus' unique identity and His role in salvation history. By speaking of His body as the temple that would be destroyed and rebuilt in three days, Jesus was positioning Himself as the ultimate dwelling place of God and the new center of worship, replacing the old covenant's physical temple and its sacrificial system.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word used for "temple" in this context is naos (ναός), which specifically refers to the inner sanctuary, the holy place, or the dwelling place of God, rather than the entire temple complex (hieron). This choice of word highlights the gravity of the accusation, as threatening the naos was considered an act of profound sacrilege and blasphemy against God's direct presence.

Related Scriptures

  • The original statement by Jesus, which the false witnesses distorted, is found in John 2:19: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The disciples later understood this prophecy only after Jesus' resurrection (John 2:22).
  • Similar false testimony is also recorded in Mark 14:58, indicating the widespread nature of these fabricated charges during Jesus' trial.
  • The fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy, His resurrection on the third day, is a cornerstone of Christian belief and is extensively taught throughout the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:4).

Practical Application and Reflection

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Danger of Misrepresentation: It cautions us against hastily judging or condemning based on partial information, hearsay, or deliberate distortions. Seeking truth and understanding the full context, especially in spiritual matters, is crucial.
  • The Centrality of Christ: Jesus' true meaning about His body being the temple highlights that He is the ultimate place where God and humanity meet. Our faith and worship should be centered on Him, not on physical structures, rituals, or human traditions.
  • The Certainty of Resurrection: The "three days" points directly to the resurrection, which is the ultimate proof of Jesus' claims and His victory over sin and death. This divine act validates His identity and power, offering hope and new life to all who believe.
  • Patience in Suffering: Jesus endured false accusations and injustice with remarkable patience and silence, demonstrating His submission to the Father's will and His willingness to suffer for humanity's redemption.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 2:19

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

  • John 2:21

    But he spake of the temple of his body.

  • Matthew 27:40

    And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

  • Psalms 22:6

    But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

  • Psalms 22:7

    All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying],

  • 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,

  • Isaiah 53:3

    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

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