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Author: Stephen Weller
548 words, 3 minutes read time

Another Temple In Three Days

Scripture: Matthew 26:60; Mark 14:57-61

We abruptly ended the previous lesson when at last two witnesses came forward to say something at the same time we ran out of space to write more. In this lesson we will eagerly look forward to what they have to say and see if it will help build a case against Jesus.

^{Mt 26:60} At last two came forward ^{Mk 14:57} and stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” ⁵⁹ Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.

Up to this point there was no incriminating evidence found that could be used in building a case against Jesus, but then two witnesses come forth with some important information; it was actually misinformation. They said that he said that he would “destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.”

They were referring to John 1:19 (ESV) where Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The context of verse 19 finds Jesus in the temple with a whip of cords, driving out of the temple those who were selling oxen, sheep and pigeons, and those who were money changers. The Jews came to Jesus and asked for a sign for evidence in doing this temple cleansing. They wanted a sign that proved he was the Messiah.

When asked for a sign, Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews responded, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” As was so often the case, what Jesus said had both a physical and a spiritual meaning. The physical meaning made no sense (like being born again) but the spiritual did (you must be born spiritually).

These two witnesses heard what Jesus said and thought he meant the physical temple when Jesus meant the temple of his body, which was destroyed and raised up in three days. Their witness was wrong because Jesus said, “destroy this temple” while probably pointing to his body and they said he said, “destroy this temple that is made with hands.” Thus, Jesus is innocent of this charge as Caiaphas, the high priest who was acting as judge, was surely aware.

^{Mk 14:60} And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” ⁶¹ But he remained silent and made no answer.

The testimony from the witnesses was clearly not helping build a case against Jesus, so Caiaphas the high priest stood up and asked Jesus about what was being said against him. Since it was all false and Caiaphas knew it was false, Jesus remains silent and makes no answer.

Conclusion

Since the witnesses provide no incriminating evidence against Jesus and Jesus won’t answer Caiaphas the focus of the drama shifts, in the next lesson, to Peter and his denials.