What does John 2:21 mean?

Explanation

John 2:21 refers to Jesus' response to the Jews who had questioned his authority after he cleared the temple in Jerusalem.

When they asked for a sign of his authority, Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19).

They thought he was speaking about the physical temple, which had been under construction for 46 years.

However, as John 2:21 clarifies, Jesus was speaking metaphorically about his body.

Jesus was predicting his own death and resurrection, stating that even if they were to destroy the 'temple' of his body, he would be raised again in three days.

This statement points towards the deeper meaning of resurrection and the establishment of a new covenant not centered on the physical temple, but on Jesus himself.

Historical Context

The event takes place in the context of the Jewish Passover, a period when Jews would come to the temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices.

During this period, the temple would also become a marketplace of sorts, which is what prompted Jesus to drive out the money changers and sellers.

The Jews, especially the temple authorities, challenged Jesus, asking what miraculous sign he would show them to prove his authority to perform such an act in God's sacred space.

The temple was central to Jewish religious life, and any claim of authority over it, or prophecies concerning it, would have been deeply significant and controversial.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse encapsulates the Christian belief in Jesus as the Messiah and the literal and figurative resurrection.

It foreshadows the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, becoming the cornerstone of Christian faith – that Jesus, the Son of God, would die for humanity's sins and be resurrected.

The 'temple' becomes a symbol of Jesus Himself, with the destruction and raising of it reflecting the crucifixion and resurrection.

Some theological interpretations also see this passage as signaling a transition from the old covenant, centered on the law and the physical temple, to a new covenant centered on Jesus and faith in his resurrection.

Practical Applications

The narrative teaches about the importance of understanding and discerning the true meaning behind words and actions.

In a practical sense, this can inspire individuals to seek deeper understanding in conversations and teachings rather than taking things at face value.

Moreover, it challenges believers to consider what they hold sacred and how it aligns with their faith.

It suggests replacing physical representations of religious devotion with a more spiritual and personal faith centered upon Jesus.

Cross-References

• Matthew 26:61: "And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days."
• Matthew 27:40: "And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself.

If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross."

• 1 Corinthians 3:16: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
• 1 Corinthians 6:19: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
• Acts 6:14: "For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us."

Language Study

The key word in this verse is "temple" (Greek: "naos"), which often refers to the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, rather than the entire temple complex ("hieron").

This word choice emphasizes the sacred and divine aspect of Jesus' body, paralleling it with the most holy area of the temple wherein the presence of God dwelt.

Another important phrase is "in three days," which is significant as it prophesies the timeframe of Jesus' resurrection.

The specificity of "three days" carries both literal and symbolic significance, resonating with other instances of this time period throughout the Bible, often denoting a period of trial followed by a solution or divine intervention.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the wider cultural and religious context of the ancient world, the concept of a god or a divine figure predicting and overcoming death is not unique.

However, within the Jewish context, Jesus' reference to the temple was uniquely provocative.

The temple was the center of Jewish worship, and the idea that its significance could be replaced by a person would be seen as radical and even blasphemous.

In comparing this to other myths, the motif of death and rebirth is common, for example, in the stories of the Egyptian god Osiris or the Greek god Dionysus, though these do not provide direct one-to-one comparisons with Christian theology.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the idea of a body being restored to life after three days of death contradicts empirical biological understanding.

Death is a process that, once complete, is irreversible by current scientific standards.

Jesus' resurrection, as described in this metaphoric verse, is therefore considered a miraculous event by Christians and is not subject to scientific confirmation or explanation.

Among secular or non-religious viewpoints, the event is usually interpreted as a myth or metaphor rather than as a historical phenomenon.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have various interpretations of this verse.

Some, like Matthew Henry, focus on how this prophecy showcases Jesus’ foreknowledge of his fate and the power of his resurrection.

Others, such as William Barclay, suggest the "temple" is a metaphor for Jesus replacing the old ways of worship and the importance of the physical temple with the spiritual worship of God through himself.

A few contemporary scholars analyze the verse in the light of Second Temple Judaism and the various reactions it could have provoked among Jesus' Jewish contemporaries.

John Calvin emphasizes the misunderstanding of Jesus’ disciples and listeners, how they could not comprehend the sign until after the resurrection.

This points to the notion of 'progressive revelation,' where the full meaning of events and sayings is unveiled over time.