Book of Mark - Chapter 14 - Verse 58
Meaning
When Jesus made the statement, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands," he was speaking metaphorically about his own body. This statement was a prophecy of his death and resurrection, not about the physical temple in Jerusalem. Jesus was predicting that he would be crucified and die, but that he would rise again after three days. This verse highlights the divine power and authority of Jesus, as only God has the power to raise the dead. It also foreshadows the central event of the Christian faith - the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The temple Jesus referred to symbolizes his own body as a new temple, which would be raised up in three days after his death. This verse serves as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for humanity and the victory over death that he achieved through his resurrection.
Theological Overview
One possible theological interpretation of the verse "We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands," could be that Jesus is referring to the temple of his body, connecting his impending death and resurrection to the idea of a new temple being established. This interpretation highlights the concept of Jesus being the ultimate sacrifice and the ultimate temple, where believers can come into the presence of God without the need for physical structures. Additionally, a word study on the phrase "made without hands" in this context could point to the divine origin and supernatural nature of the new temple Jesus speaks of, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of God's work in salvation rather than human efforts. Overall, this verse invites readers to reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the spiritual reality of God's kingdom that transcends earthly structures.