Destroy This Temple and I will Raise It Up. (27b)
Updated: Sep 3
In the second half of our study of John chapter 2, we explore the Jewish expectation of a rebuilt Temple—one that would surpass even the glory of Solomon’s Temple.
Throughout the Second Temple period, Jewish writings imagined different scenarios:
- Some believed God Himself would rebuild the Temple
- Others expected the Messiah to oversee its construction
Lesson Handout PDF
We’ll walk through these ancient texts and discover how they shaped the hopes of Jesus’ generation. Then, we’ll unpack the shocking claim Jesus made: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
In mystical Jewish thought, the “Original Adam” or “Heavenly Man” was seen as the cosmic body—the universe itself functioning as the Temple of God. The Apostle Paul draws from this imagery when he says we are members of one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) and calls Jesus the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).
Expanded Article: "Destroy this Temple"
If the universe is God’s Temple, and Jesus is its cornerstone, then His statement is far more than a metaphor—it’s a revelation of how heaven and earth meet in Him.
Join us as we explore:
- Jewish visions of the future Temple
- The connection between the Temple and the Body of Christ
- How Jesus fulfills—and redefines—centuries of expectation
Additional PDF on the Soreg:
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