John 2:19-22
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
King James Version
Jesus predicting his bodily resurrection as the rebuilding of the temple in three days, understood after his resurrection.
Fulfillment References
Romans 8:11 Romans 6:4 John 2:21-22 1 Corinthians 6:19
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up' — He spoke of the temple of His body (v. 21). The God who dwelt in the temple now dwells bodily in Christ (Col. 2:9); His body is the true temple, destroyed at the cross and raised the third day. Scripture attributes that resurrection to the Father (Rom. 6:4), to the Son ('I will raise it up,' v. 19), and to the Spirit (Rom. 8:11 — 'the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead') — not three who raise, but the one God at work: Father, Son, and Spirit are one.
JewishHis hearers took it literally of the Herodian temple ('forty and six years'); the saying about destroying and rebuilding the temple later figured in His trial.
CatholicChrist's body as the new temple, destroyed and raised; the replacement of the temple cult by the risen Lord (cf. the Catechism).
ProtestantA veiled prediction of His resurrection (understood only afterward, v. 22); His body the true temple.
AcademicThe Johannine 'temple' saying, relocated to the Gospel's start; John supplies the resurrection interpretation, a hallmark of his post-Easter perspective.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.