John 2:20 - The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?”
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What does "John 2:20" mean?
This verse, John 2:20, is part of a larger passage where Jesus cleanses the Temple in Jerusalem. To understand its meaning, we need to look at the context:
The Context: Jesus drives out the merchants and money changers from the Temple, declaring, "Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade." The Jewish authorities, angered by his actions and questioning his authority, demand a sign.
Jesus' Response: Jesus replies, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19) This is a cryptic statement, and the Jewish authorities misunderstand him.
The Verse (John 2:20): The Jewish authorities respond in disbelief and literal interpretation. They say, "It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?"
Meaning and Interpretation:
The verse highlights a misunderstanding and a contrast between the literal and the spiritual.
Literal Misunderstanding: The Jews interpret Jesus's words literally, referring to the physical Temple in Jerusalem. They are incredulous because they know the Temple was a massive undertaking that took decades to construct. To rebuild it in three days seems impossible.
Symbolic/Spiritual Meaning (Jesus's Perspective): John's Gospel clarifies later (John 2:21) that Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body. He was referring to his death and resurrection. "He spoke of the temple of his body." Therefore, Jesus was stating that if they were to kill him, he would be resurrected in three days.
Foreshadowing: Jesus' statement foreshadows his death and resurrection, a central tenet of Christian belief. It also presents a new concept of "temple" as being embodied in Jesus himself.
Rejection of Jesus' Claims: The Jews' response is a rejection of Jesus' authority and a denial of his claim to divine power. They are unwilling to consider anything beyond the literal and visible.
Irony: The verse is ironic because while the Jews focus on the physical Temple, Jesus is offering something far greater: the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's salvation and the promise of eternal life through his resurrection.
In summary, John 2:20 captures the disbelief of the Jewish authorities at Jesus's audacious claim, rooted in their literal interpretation of his words about destroying and rebuilding the Temple. The verse is significant because it foreshadows Jesus's death and resurrection, while also highlighting the conflict between the physical and the spiritual, and the rejection of Jesus by some of his contemporaries.
John 2:20 - The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?”
What does "John 2:20" mean?
This verse, John 2:20, is part of a larger passage where Jesus cleanses the Temple in Jerusalem. To understand its meaning, we need to look at the context:
The Context: Jesus drives out the merchants and money changers from the Temple, declaring, "Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade." The Jewish authorities, angered by his actions and questioning his authority, demand a sign.
Jesus' Response: Jesus replies, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19) This is a cryptic statement, and the Jewish authorities misunderstand him.
The Verse (John 2:20): The Jewish authorities respond in disbelief and literal interpretation. They say, "It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?"
Meaning and Interpretation:
The verse highlights a misunderstanding and a contrast between the literal and the spiritual.
Literal Misunderstanding: The Jews interpret Jesus's words literally, referring to the physical Temple in Jerusalem. They are incredulous because they know the Temple was a massive undertaking that took decades to construct. To rebuild it in three days seems impossible.
Symbolic/Spiritual Meaning (Jesus's Perspective): John's Gospel clarifies later (John 2:21) that Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body. He was referring to his death and resurrection. "He spoke of the temple of his body." Therefore, Jesus was stating that if they were to kill him, he would be resurrected in three days.
Foreshadowing: Jesus' statement foreshadows his death and resurrection, a central tenet of Christian belief. It also presents a new concept of "temple" as being embodied in Jesus himself.
Rejection of Jesus' Claims: The Jews' response is a rejection of Jesus' authority and a denial of his claim to divine power. They are unwilling to consider anything beyond the literal and visible.
Irony: The verse is ironic because while the Jews focus on the physical Temple, Jesus is offering something far greater: the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's salvation and the promise of eternal life through his resurrection.
In summary, John 2:20 captures the disbelief of the Jewish authorities at Jesus's audacious claim, rooted in their literal interpretation of his words about destroying and rebuilding the Temple. The verse is significant because it foreshadows Jesus's death and resurrection, while also highlighting the conflict between the physical and the spiritual, and the rejection of Jesus by some of his contemporaries.