What is the meaning of John 2:19 where Jesus talks about destroying the temple and raising it in three days?

In John 2:19, Jesus makes a profound and somewhat enigmatic statement: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." This verse has been a subject of much theological reflection and interpretation over the centuries. To understand its meaning, we must delve into the historical context, the symbolic significance, and the theological implications of Jesus' words.

Historical Context

The setting for this statement is the Temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and a symbol of Jewish religious life. The Temple was not just a building; it was the dwelling place of God among His people, the locus of sacrificial worship, and a symbol of the covenant between God and Israel. By the time of Jesus, the Second Temple, originally built after the Babylonian exile and later expanded by Herod the Great, stood as an architectural marvel and a focal point of Jewish identity.

Immediate Context

In John 2, Jesus has just cleansed the Temple, driving out the money changers and those selling animals for sacrifice. His actions were a dramatic critique of the commercialization of religious practices and a call to return to genuine worship. The Jewish leaders, understandably shocked and angered by His actions, demand a sign to justify His authority. It is in response to this demand that Jesus utters the words, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

Symbolic Significance

At first glance, the Jewish leaders and even Jesus' own disciples misunderstand His statement. They think He is referring to the physical Temple, which had taken forty-six years to build (John 2:20). However, John provides a crucial clarification in verse 21: "But He was speaking about the temple of His body."

Jesus' reference to the Temple as His body is laden with symbolic meaning. In the Old Testament, the Temple was the place where God's presence dwelt among His people. By referring to His body as the Temple, Jesus is making a profound theological claim: He is the new locus of God's presence. In Him, the fullness of God dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9). He is Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

Theological Implications

Jesus' statement points forward to His death and resurrection. The phrase "destroy this temple" foreshadows His crucifixion. The religious leaders and Roman authorities would indeed "destroy" Him by putting Him to death. However, Jesus' promise to "raise it up in three days" refers to His resurrection. On the third day, He would rise from the dead, demonstrating His victory over sin and death and inaugurating a new era in God's redemptive plan.

This statement also has significant implications for understanding the nature of true worship. In the Old Testament, worship was centered around the Temple and the sacrificial system. With Jesus' death and resurrection, the focus of worship shifts from a physical location to a person. Jesus Himself becomes the ultimate sacrifice for sin, the mediator between God and humanity, and the new Temple where believers encounter God's presence.

Broader Biblical Context

The theme of Jesus as the new Temple is echoed throughout the New Testament. In John 4:21-24, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that the hour is coming when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, not confined to a specific location. In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul describes the church as a holy temple in the Lord, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Revelation 21:22, John envisions the New Jerusalem, where there is no temple, "for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb."

Practical Application

Understanding John 2:19 invites us to reflect on the nature of our relationship with God and the essence of true worship. It challenges us to move beyond external rituals and structures and to encounter God in the person of Jesus Christ. It calls us to recognize that through His death and resurrection, Jesus has made a way for us to enter into the very presence of God, not through a physical temple, but through a living relationship with Him.

In our own lives, this means prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else. It means recognizing Him as the ultimate revelation of God, the one in whom we find forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life. It means embracing the reality that we are now part of His body, the church, called to live out our faith in community and to bear witness to His transforming power.

Conclusion

John 2:19 is a profound statement that encapsulates the heart of the Gospel. It reveals Jesus as the new Temple, the one in whom God's presence dwells and through whom we have access to God. It points to His death and resurrection as the pivotal events in God's redemptive plan. And it challenges us to embrace a deeper, more authentic worship that centers on Jesus Christ, the true and living Temple. As we reflect on these truths, may we be drawn into a closer, more intimate relationship with Him, and may our lives be a testament to His grace and glory.