But He spake, &c. Figure of speech Epitrechon ( App-6 ). For other examples, See John 7:39 ; John 12:33 ; John 21:19 . he . Greek. ekeinos. Emph. in contrast with "thou" in John 2:20 . See note on John 1:18 . spake = was speaking. Greek. lego of -se concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 . of = that is to say. Genitive of Apposition. App-17 . read more
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.What Jesus meant by this is plainly given in John 2:21, "He spake of the temple of his body"; but such a simple answer is rejected by some. This pointed reference to his own death, burial and resurrection cannot be allowed by those who would spiritualize every historical fact out of this Gospel. As one has declared:"Destroy" is a prophetic command meaning, "Go on as you are doing and you will bring this... read more
The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up, in three days?At this point, it is possible to check the historicity of John's Gospel; and it is no surprise to find it exactly accurate. Herod the Great began building the temple in 20-19 B.C.[19] Adding 46 years to that date brings the time of this first cleansing to 27-28 A.D. and adds strong evidence for the early date of this cleansing. Of course, the Jews construed Jesus' words in the most... read more
But he spake of the temple of his body.See under preceding verses. read more
John 2:19. Destroy this temple,— The miracle which our Lord had already performed, in driving the buyers and sellers out of the temple, was sufficient to convince them of the authority by which he made this reformation, if they were to have been convinced by any miracle at all. Therefore our Lord, instead of satisfying their unreasonable demands, refers them to the great miracle of his resurrection; but refers them to it in such obscure terms, as prejudiced minds could not understand, till the... read more
John 2:20. Forty and six years was this temple, &c.— Hath this temple been in building. Heylin. Though Herod finished what he proposed in eight or nine years, yet the Jews continued to beautify and adorn the temple for many years afterwards, even to the year 65. read more
19. Destroy this temple, &c.—(See on :-). read more
20. Forty and six years—From the eighteenth year of Herod till then was just forty-six years [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 15.11.1]. read more
21. temple of his body—in which was enshrined the glory of the eternal Word. (See on :-). By its resurrection the true Temple of God upon earth was reared up, of which the stone one was but a shadow; so that the allusion is not quite exclusively to Himself, but takes in that Temple of which He is the foundation, and all believers are the "lively stones." (1 Peter 2:4; 1 Peter 2:5). read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 2:20
Forty and six years . Begun B.C. 20. See Josephus, Wars, I. xxi. 1. rear = raise. read more