Matthew 26:61

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 26:61 records the false testimony brought against Jesus during His trial before the Sanhedrin, accusing Him of claiming He could destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. This accusation, a deliberate distortion of Jesus' earlier prophetic words concerning His own body and resurrection, was a central piece of fabricated evidence used by the religious leaders in their determined effort to secure a death sentence against Him, highlighting the profound injustice and spiritual blindness of His accusers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic narrative of Jesus' passion, specifically His unjust trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. Following His betrayal by Judas and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is brought before the highest Jewish religious court. The preceding verses (Matthew 26:57-60) describe the frantic search for false witnesses, indicating the Sanhedrin's pre-determined intent to condemn Jesus, rather than genuinely seek justice. The testimony presented in [Matthew 26:61](/matthew/26-61 "Matthew 26:61 - False Accusation Regarding the Temple") is one of several inconsistent and fabricated charges, designed to provide a legal pretext for His execution, despite the lack of credible evidence. This scene sets the stage for Peter's denial and Jesus' eventual condemnation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin was a pivotal moment, steeped in the legal and religious customs of first-century Judaism under Roman occupation. The Sanhedrin, composed of chief priests, elders, and scribes, held significant judicial authority in religious matters, though capital punishment required Roman approval. Accusing Jesus of threatening the Temple was a grave charge, potentially punishable by death, as the Temple was the spiritual and national heart of Jewish life, representing God's presence among His people. Furthermore, such a claim could be twisted into an act of sedition against Roman authority, which upheld the sanctity of the Temple. The accusation in [Matthew 26:61](/matthew/26-61 "Matthew 26:61 - The Temple Accusation") was particularly potent because it played on the deep reverence the Jewish people held for the Temple, aiming to incite public opinion against Jesus.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 26:61 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **false accusation and injustice**, revealing the lengths to which Jesus' adversaries would go to condemn Him, even resorting to perjury, a direct violation of the Ninth Commandment (cf. [Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment")). Secondly, it highlights the **misunderstanding and distortion of Jesus' words and identity**. While the witnesses twisted Jesus' statement about the Temple, Jesus was in fact referring to [the temple of his body](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus' Body as the Temple"), foreshadowing His death and resurrection. This misunderstanding underscores the spiritual blindness of those who rejected Him. Finally, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **Jesus as the true Temple and the new center of worship**. By speaking of His body as the Temple that would be destroyed and rebuilt, Jesus was asserting His divine authority and His role as the ultimate dwelling place of God, superseding the physical Temple and its sacrificial system (cf. [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus' Prophecy and its Meaning")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroy (Greek, _katalýō'_):** This word (G2647) means "to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively)." In the context of the Temple, it implies a complete dismantling or overthrow. The false witnesses used this word to suggest Jesus intended a physical destruction of the sacred edifice, an act considered sacrilegious and treasonous.
* **temple (Greek, _naós'_):** This term (G3485) specifically refers to the inner sanctuary, the holy place, or the dwelling place of God, as opposed to the broader temple complex (*hieron*). The use of *naós* emphasizes the gravity of the accusation, as it implied an attack on the very presence of God, making the charge one of profound blasphemy.
* **build (Greek, _oikodoméō'_):** This word (G3618) means "to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm." The false witnesses claimed Jesus stated He could rebuild the Temple, implying a human, physical act. However, in Jesus' true prophetic statement, this word referred to His divine power to raise His own body from the dead, a spiritual and redemptive "rebuilding."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said, This [fellow] said":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the context of testimony, specifically that of false witnesses. The phrase "This [fellow] said" (KJV) or "This man said" (ESV) is a derogatory way of referring to Jesus, minimizing His authority and dignity. The repetition of "said" (from G2036 *épō* and G5346 *phēmí*) underscores that these are reported words, framed as direct quotes, but are in fact a distorted fabrication.
* **"I am able to destroy the temple of God":** This is the core of the false accusation. The witnesses twist Jesus' earlier statement (cf. [John 2:19](/john/2-19 "Jesus' Temple Prophecy")) from "Destroy this temple" (an imperative challenge to His accusers) to "I am able to destroy the temple" (a claim of His own destructive intent). The phrase "the temple of God" highlights the sacredness of the object, making the alleged claim maximally offensive to the Jewish leaders.
* **"and to build it in three days":** This second part of the accusation further distorts Jesus' words. While Jesus did speak of "three days," referring to His resurrection, the witnesses present it as a claim of human ability to physically reconstruct the massive Temple complex in an impossibly short timeframe. This serves to portray Jesus as either a deluded megalomaniac or a blasphemer making impossible claims, thereby strengthening the case against Him.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. Most prominently, there is **Irony**, as the false witnesses, in their attempt to condemn Jesus, unwittingly speak a partial truth about His destiny. While they refer to the physical Temple, Jesus' original statement, which they distorted, was indeed about His body being destroyed and raised in three days, a prophecy that would be literally fulfilled. This creates a profound **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows the true meaning of Jesus' words, while His accusers remain ignorant. Furthermore, the passage relies on **Misrepresentation** and **Distortion**, as the witnesses deliberately alter Jesus' original statement (an imperative "Destroy this temple," implying *they* would destroy it, and *He* would raise it) into a self-incriminating claim of His own destructive power. This manipulation of truth underscores the moral depravity of Jesus' accusers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 26:61, though a record of false witness, paradoxically points to profound theological truths about Jesus' identity and mission. The accusation, centered on the Temple, inadvertently highlights Jesus' unique claim to be the ultimate dwelling place of God, replacing the old covenant's physical sanctuary. His prophecy of destroying and rebuilding the "temple" in three days was not about a stone structure but about His own body and His impending death and glorious resurrection. This connects directly to the core Christian message: that salvation is found not through rituals in a physical temple, but through the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the new and living way to God. His resurrection, the "rebuilding" in three days, validates His divine authority and establishes Him as the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple, the Church.

* [John 2:19](/john/2-19 "Jesus' Prophecy of the Temple's Destruction and Rebuilding")
* [Mark 14:58](/mark/14-58 "Similar False Testimony in Mark's Gospel")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "Christ's Death, Burial, and Resurrection According to the Scriptures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The false accusation against Jesus in Matthew 26:61 serves as a potent reminder of the dangers of misrepresentation and the importance of discerning truth, especially in matters of faith. It challenges us to look beyond superficial appearances and deliberate distortions, seeking the true meaning of God's word and the authentic person of Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus was falsely accused, we too may face misunderstandings or unjust criticisms, and His patient endurance provides a model for how to respond with grace and trust in God's ultimate justice. More profoundly, this verse redirects our focus from outward religious performance or physical structures to the living Christ. Our faith is not in a building or a set of rituals, but in the resurrected Lord who is the true Temple, the meeting place between God and humanity. This truth should inspire us to live as His spiritual temple, embodying His presence in the world and trusting in the power of His resurrection to overcome all injustice and death.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this account of false accusation challenge my own tendency to judge others based on incomplete or distorted information?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to misunderstand or misrepresent Jesus' words or character in my own life or conversations?**
* **How does Jesus' identity as the "true temple" shift my understanding of worship and where I encounter God?**
* **What hope and assurance does the "three days" (referring to the resurrection) offer me in the face of suffering or injustice?**

### FAQ

**What was the "temple" Jesus referred to in His original statement that the witnesses distorted?**

Answer: In His original statement, found in [John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus' Prophecy of the Temple"), Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Gospel of John clarifies that Jesus "spoke of the temple of his body" ([John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus' Body as the Temple")). The false witnesses in Matthew 26:61 deliberately twisted this spiritual prophecy, which referred to His death and resurrection, to make it sound as if He threatened to physically destroy Herod's Temple in Jerusalem.

**Why was the accusation of destroying the temple considered such a serious charge?**

Answer: The Temple in Jerusalem was not merely a building; it was the sacred center of Jewish worship, the place where God's presence was believed to dwell, and a powerful symbol of Jewish national and religious identity. To threaten its destruction was considered an act of profound sacrilege and blasphemy against God ([Acts 6:13](/acts/6-13 "Acts 6:13 - False Accusations Against Stephen")). Moreover, such a claim could be interpreted as a revolutionary or seditious act against Roman authority, which protected the Temple's sanctity. The Jewish leaders used this accusation to portray Jesus as a dangerous radical who deserved death.

**How does Jesus' statement about the temple relate to His resurrection?**

Answer: The "three days" in Jesus' prophecy (and the false accusation) directly refers to His resurrection from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion. His death was the "destruction" of the temple of His body, and His resurrection was the "rebuilding." This fulfillment, as recorded in [Matthew 28:1-10](/matthew/28-1-10 "Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection of Jesus"), validated His divine authority and proved Him to be the Son of God. The resurrection transformed the understanding of the Temple, revealing that God's true dwelling place is now in the person of Jesus Christ and, by extension, in His body, the Church ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Believers as God's Dwelling")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The false accusation in [Matthew 26:61](/matthew/26-61 "Matthew 26:61 - The False Temple Accusation") serves as a profound paradox, inadvertently pointing to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. While the Sanhedrin sought to condemn Jesus for threatening the physical Temple, Jesus' true meaning, as revealed in [John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus' Body as the Temple"), was that He Himself was the ultimate Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity. His death was the "destruction" of this physical "temple" (His body), and His resurrection on the third day was its glorious "rebuilding," signifying His triumph over sin and death. This event abolished the need for a physical temple and its sacrificial system, as Christ's perfect sacrifice became the once-for-all atonement ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, the High Priest of a Greater Tabernacle")). Through His resurrected body, Jesus established a new covenant, making Himself the sole mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator, Christ Jesus")). Believers are now incorporated into His body, becoming living stones in a spiritual temple where God dwells by His Spirit ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4-5 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), thereby fulfilling the ancient promises of God's presence among His people in a way far grander than any earthly structure. Ultimately, this accusation, meant for His demise, underscored Jesus' unique identity as the 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")) and the resurrected Lord who is the new and eternal center of worship for all eternity ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - God and the Lamb are the Temple")).

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

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.