What was the "temple" Jesus was accused of destroying and rebuilding?

The mockers in Matthew 27:40 were referring to the magnificent physical temple in Jerusalem, which was the center of Jewish worship and national identity. They were twisting a statement Jesus made earlier in his ministry, recorded in John 2:19, where he said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." However, as John 2:21 clarifies, Jesus "was speaking about the temple of his body." Thus, the prophecy was not about the literal building, but about his own death and resurrection, which would occur on the third day. The mockers, in their spiritual blindness, took his words literally and used them as a basis for false accusation during his trial (Matthew 26:61).

Why didn't Jesus "save himself" and come down from the cross?

Jesus did not come down from the cross because his purpose in coming to earth was not to save himself from suffering, but to save humanity *through* his suffering. His refusal to descend was the ultimate act of obedience to his Father's will and the fulfillment of his mission as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). If he had come down, he would have validated the world's expectation of a powerful, conquering Messiah who avoids pain, but he would not have accomplished the atonement necessary for humanity's salvation. His steadfastness on the cross, enduring the full wrath of God against sin, was the very act that demonstrated his true divine power and love, securing redemption for all who believe (Philippians 2:8).

27:39 27:39

Matthew 27:40

27:41 27:41

Bible Versions

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.

And {G2532} saying {G3004}, Thou that destroyest {G2647} the temple {G3485}, and {G2532} buildest {G3618} it in {G1722} three {G5140} days {G2250}, save {G4982} thyself {G4572}. If {G1487} thou be {G1488} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}, come down {G2597} from {G575} the cross {G4716}.

and saying, "So you can destroy the Temple, can you, and rebuild it in three days? Save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the stake!"

and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.

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.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

Matthew 26:61

And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
John 2:19

Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
John 2:22

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Matthew 4:6

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Matthew 4:3

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Revelation 11:10

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Matthew 26:63

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Bible Versions

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