New Testament
John 2:19
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Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
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Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
What John 2:19 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus is speaking metaphorically about His body when He refers to the 'temple.' The Jewish leaders misunderstand Him, thinking He is talking about the physical temple in Jerusalem. Jesus is predicting His death and resurrection, indicating that after He is killed, He will rise again in three days. This statement emphasizes His authority and the significance of His resurrection as a central event in Christian faith. The temple symbolizes God's presence, and by saying He will raise it up, Jesus is revealing that He is the new temple, where God dwells among His people. This foreshadows the transformation of worship and the relationship between God and humanity through Jesus. His resurrection is a pivotal moment that confirms His identity as the Messiah and the Son of God, offering hope and salvation to believers.
How to apply John 2:19 to your life
This verse encourages believers to understand the significance of Jesus' resurrection. It reminds us that through His death and resurrection, we have access to God. We should reflect on the importance of faith in Jesus as the foundation of our relationship with God.
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Clearing the Temple at Passover (John 2:13–22)
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Jesus
Photo: Gary Todd (Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.), via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Source. Location: Southern end of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem Old City. Resized for the web.
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Jerusalem
David's capital, the city of the temple, and the place where Jesus died and rose again.
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Key themes
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At a Glance — the Book of John
- Author
- John the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 85-95
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- All believers
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does John 2:19 mean?
In John 2:19, Jesus refers to His body as the 'temple' and predicts His death and resurrection. He indicates that after being killed, He will rise again in three days, highlighting His authority and the significance of His resurrection.
What is the significance of the temple in John 2:19?
The temple in John 2:19 symbolizes God's presence. Jesus uses this metaphor to reveal that He is the new temple, where God dwells, and His resurrection transforms the relationship between God and humanity.
Why did the Jewish leaders misunderstand Jesus in John 2:19?
The Jewish leaders misunderstood Jesus because they thought He was talking about the physical temple in Jerusalem rather than His body. This shows their lack of understanding of His true message about His death and resurrection.
How does John 2:19 relate to the resurrection?
John 2:19 directly relates to the resurrection as Jesus predicts that He will rise again in three days after His death. This event is central to Christian faith, confirming His identity as the Messiah.
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