John 2:19

Destroy this temple. Here the word for temple is naos, the sanctuary proper (see on v. 14). In these words Jesus intimates for the first time the fate that awaited Him at the end of His earthly pathway. The Jews were already plotting His death (see DA 164). At His trial they distorted this declaration into the charge that He purposed to destroy the Temple, and made the charge their excuse for fulfilling Christ’s prophecy (cf. Mark 14:58; see on Matt. 26:61).

The analogy between the literal Temple and Christ’s body is not as remote as might at first appear. The sanctuary, and later the Temple, was designed to be the earthly dwelling place of God (see on Ex. 25:8, 9). There, above the mercy seat, appeared the Shekinah, glorious symbol of the sacred abiding presence of God (see on Gen. 3:24; Ex. 25:17).

But, as John has already pointed out (see on John 1:14), this same divine glory tabernacled in human flesh in the person of our Lord. Compare 1 Cor. 3:16.

Three days. See pp. 248-250.

Raise it up. Jesus referred to His resurrection (see on ch. 10:18). But the Jews, not fully understanding the import of the declaration, thought of the literal Temple structure. That eventually they did discern the true import of Jesus’ words appears from Matt. 27:63,64.