Скачать или смотреть Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up ”

This passage, found in John 2:19-21, is a profound statement by Jesus that foreshadows His death and resurrection. Here’s an in-depth analysis:

1. Context
This exchange occurs after Jesus cleanses the temple, driving out money changers and those selling animals. His actions provoke the Jewish leaders, who demand a sign to prove His authority for such actions (John 2:18).
Jesus’ response is cryptic to His audience, but it carries deep theological significance. While they interpret His words literally, Jesus speaks metaphorically about His body as the true temple.
2. Key Phrases
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Dual Meaning:
On the surface, “this temple” could be interpreted as referring to the physical temple in Jerusalem. This temple, a symbol of Jewish worship, was central to their religious identity.
However, Jesus is speaking of His own body as the “temple,” emphasizing that He embodies the presence of God. The temple was traditionally where God’s presence dwelled, but Jesus, as Emmanuel ("God with us"), is the new and ultimate dwelling of God among humanity.
Prophetic Statement: Jesus predicts His death ("destroy this temple") and resurrection ("in three days I will raise it up"). The resurrection validates His divine authority and mission.
“The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?’”
Literal Interpretation: The Jewish leaders misunderstand Jesus’ statement, focusing on the physical structure of the temple, which had been under renovation for decades under Herod the Great.
Skepticism: Their response reflects disbelief in the possibility of such a miraculous act, further highlighting their inability to grasp the deeper spiritual truth.
“But He was speaking of the temple of His body.”
Clarification for the Readers: John, the Gospel writer, provides a crucial explanation for Jesus’ statement, ensuring readers understand the metaphor. Jesus’ body is the new temple where God’s presence resides.
Shift in Worship: This statement signals a transition from worship centered on a physical temple to worship centered on Jesus Himself (see John 4:23-24: “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth”).
3. Theological Significance
A. Jesus as the True Temple
In the Old Testament, the temple was the meeting place between God and humanity. By referring to His body as the temple, Jesus reveals that He is the ultimate mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
His death and resurrection render the physical temple obsolete, fulfilling its purpose as a foreshadowing of His work.
B. Resurrection as the Ultimate Sign
Jesus’ statement points to the resurrection as the definitive proof of His authority and divinity. The resurrection becomes the cornerstone of Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:14: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”).
C. Misunderstanding by the Jewish Leaders
The Jewish leaders’ literal interpretation reflects their spiritual blindness and inability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
This misunderstanding is a recurring theme in John’s Gospel, where Jesus’ teachings often have deeper spiritual meanings that are initially missed by His audience (e.g., Nicodemus and being “born again” in John 3:3-4).
4. Practical Applications
Faith in the Resurrection: This passage encourages believers to trust in the resurrection as the foundation of their faith and a source of hope for eternal life.
Recognizing Jesus as the Center of Worship: Jesus’ identification as the true temple shifts the focus of worship from physical locations to a personal relationship with Him.
Spiritual Perception: Like the Jewish leaders, people today can miss deeper spiritual truths by focusing only on the literal or material aspects of life. This passage invites believers to seek deeper understanding through faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.