The fall of Jerusalem in 70AD for Biblical Prophecy.

The fall of Jerusalem in 70AD for Biblical Prophecy.

from Matthew 24

by Neil McBride

Let’s explore the rich and meaningful history of the three temples mentioned in the Bible. Each of these temples played a significant role in Israel’s spiritual life and in God’s unfolding plan for His people. Though different in time and structure, they all point to deeper truths about worship, covenant, and God’s presence among His people.

Solomon’s Temple (First Temple):

1. • Location: Jerusalem

1. • Period: Built around 957 BC, destroyed in 586 BC.

1. • Background: Solomon, the son of King David, built the first temple in Jerusalem as a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and as a central place for worshipping God. The temple was grand and ornate, designed to reflect God’s glory and the covenant between God and Israel. It stood as the heart of Jewish worship for nearly 400 years.

1. • Destruction: In 586 BC, following the Babylonian conquest of Judah, the Babylonians destroyed the first temple under King Nebuchadnezzar. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile for the Jewish people.

Zerubbabel’s Temple (Second Temple):

1. • Location: Jerusalem

1. • Period: Built around 516 BC, renovated by King Herod, destroyed in AD 70.

1. • Background: After the Jewish exile in Babylon, the Jews returned to their land and rebuilt the temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel. It was smaller and less glorious than Solomon’s Temple, but it served as the focal point for worship during the Persian and early Hellenistic periods.

1. • Renovation: Around 20 BC, King Herod the Great significantly renovated and expanded the Second Temple, transforming it into a magnificent structure that became one of the wonders of the ancient world.

1. • Destruction: The second temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70 after the Roman siege of Jerusalem, marking the end of Jewish temple worship and the beginning of the Christian era.
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The Third Temple (Future Temple):

1. • Location: Jerusalem

1. • Period: Not yet built but prophesied in the Bible.

1. • Background: The Bible prophesies that a third temple will be built in Jerusalem during the end times, often associated with the return of the Messiah. This temple is mentioned in the books of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48) and Revelation (chapter 11). It is expected to be a central place of worship for all nations in the future reign of peace and justice.

Now that we’ve explored the history of the temples, let’s turn our attention to the Gospel of Matthew, specifically chapter 24, where Jesus gives a powerful and prophetic message about the future. In this chapter, Jesus speaks clearly about the temple’s coming destruction, the signs of the end times, and the unfolding of God’s greater plan. As we carefully examine His words, we’ll begin to connect the dots between the history of the temples and the prophecy He delivered. What Jesus said not only spoke to His generation but continues to offer wisdom, warning, and hope for us today.

(1-2) Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple.

1. • Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the temple’s buildings. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple:

Jesus’ departure from the temple marked a pivotal moment in His ministry. He would no longer engage with the religious leaders there, and this would be the last time He would visit the temple before His crucifixion. Jesus’ departure was deliberate, signifying the end of His public ministry in Jerusalem. In this act, He symbolised turning the page from the old covenant, marked by the temple, to the new covenant, where He would be the cornerstone.

• • Went out and departed: The phrasing here is significant. It suggests that Jesus wasn’t simply leaving the temple to continue His journey but was departing in a way that emphasised finality. “He was going away, like one who did not mean to return.” (Bruce) This reflects His recognition that the temple and its system of worship were ending, to be replaced by His work on the cross and the establishment of His church.

• • “They came to their Master, going before in a deeply preoccupied mood, and tried to change the gloomy current of His thoughts by inviting Him to look back at the sacred structure.” (Bruce) Unaware of the impending destruction, the disciples hoped to lift Jesus’ spirits by showing Him the temple’s beauty. They were likely proud of it, considering it the heart of Jewish identity. However, Jesus pointed them away from the temple’s physical splendour to the coming judgment it would face.

His disciples came up to show Him the temple’s buildings:

The Second Temple in Jerusalem was a remarkable structure, initially constructed by Zerubbabel and Ezra after the Babylonian exile but later expanded and greatly enhanced by Herod the Great. Herod, who ruled from 37 BC to 4 BC, sought to make Jerusalem a city worthy of the Roman Empire’s grandeur. He undertook a massive renovation and expansion of the temple, which became one of the most magnificent buildings in the Roman world.

• • The temple complex was the centrepiece of Jewish religious and social life. It was not only a place of worship but also the cultural and political heart of Jerusalem. Herod’s grand vision for the temple was designed to impress not only the Jewish people but also the Roman authorities overseeing Judea. Herod’s building projects, including the temple, showcased his ability to manage religious and imperial expectations, ensuring that the Roman world could admire Jerusalem as a city of prestige.

• • “Josephus the Jew (Antiquities 15.14) tells us that for eight whole years together he kept 10,000 men working on it; and that for magnificence and stateliness, it exceeded Solomon’s temple.” (Trapp) Josephus, the Jewish historian, provides us with a vivid description of the temple’s grandeur. Under Herod’s hands, the temple became so massive that it occupied an area larger than most cities. It included colossal stone foundations, towering columns, and a stunning array of gold, marble, and precious stones. Its beauty was said to rival even the greatest architectural wonders of the ancient world, drawing admiration from visitors far and wide.

• • The sheer scale of the temple was enormous, covering nearly 500 yards in length and 400 yards in width. The structure’s renovation began in 19 BC and was not completed until AD 63—more than 80 years later. Tragically, the temple was destroyed just seven years later, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy. The enormity of this temple’s destruction is hard to comprehend. It was a religious centre and a symbol of Jewish identity and pride that had lasted almost a millennium.

• • Beyond its size, the temple was stunning in its decoration. Josephus describes the temple’s exterior as covered in gold, so much so that the sun’s reflection on the golden plates blinded the eye. Where there was no gold, white marble blocks were used, and their brilliance from afar made the temple appear as if it were covered in snow. This temple, which seemed to stand as an eternal monument to Jewish faith, was destined to be destroyed, in fulfilment of Jesus’ words.

Do you not see all these things?

Jesus’ response to His disciples reveals His indifference to the physical beauty of the temple. While His disciples marvelled at the temple’s grandeur, Jesus was not impressed. His focus was on the spiritual realities behind the temple, which were soon eclipsed by the new era He was bringing. He was pointing them toward a greater truth, one that would see the destruction of the temple and the establishment of a new way of worship in Him.

 

• • “These things, not building, implying indifference to the splendours admired by the disciples.” (Bruce) Jesus was not dismissing the temple’s physical beauty out of spite, but rather, He was emphasising that true worship would no longer be tied to a physical building. The temple, as the centre of Jewish worship, was about to become obsolete, as Jesus was soon to provide a new way of access to God through His death and resurrection.

Not one stone shall be left here upon another:

Jesus’ prediction of the temple’s destruction was not a vague prophecy; it was specific and would be fulfilled in detail. In AD 70, the Roman Empire, under the leadership of Titus, laid siege to Jerusalem after the Jewish revolt. The Jewish rebellion against Rome, which began in AD 66, initially had some successes, but by AD 70, the Roman military machine had overwhelmed the city, destroying it.

• • The destruction of Jerusalem was not simply a military conquest; it was an act of divine judgment, as Jesus had predicted. In their frenzy to conquer the city, the Roman soldiers set fire to the temple. According to historical accounts, a Roman soldier, possibly intoxicated, started the fire that soon engulfed the entire temple. The fire melted the gold used in the temple’s decoration, seeping into the cracks between the stones. The Roman soldiers, eager to recover the gold, dismantled the temple stone by stone, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy that no stone would be left upon another.

• • “Titus (it is said) would have preserved the temple, as one of the world’s wonders, from being burnt, but could not; such was the fury of his soldiers, set a-work by God doubtless.” (Trapp) Even though Titus, the Roman general, had initially wanted to preserve the temple as a remarkable monument, the destruction became inevitable. The fury of his soldiers, combined with divine providence, led to the temple’s utter devastation.

• • After Jerusalem’s fall, many surviving Jews sought refuge in the temple, believing it to be the safest place. However, the Romans surrounded it and destroyed it with such precision that, to this day, scholars are unsure of the exact location of the original temple’s foundations. The once proud and magnificent structure was reduced to rubble, just as Jesus had foretold.

• • “Josephus says the stones were white and strong; fifty feet long, twenty-four broad, and sixteen thick.” (Clarke) The stones of the temple were massive, some weighing several tons. The sheer scale and weight of the building’s structure made its destruction astounding. The temple, which had been a symbol of Jewish identity and pride, was reduced to ruins in a matter of days.

 

That shall not be thrown down:

Jesus’ prophecy of the temple’s destruction was fulfilled in the most literal way possible. The temple was not simply damaged or partially destroyed; it was completely dismantled, with no stone left upon another. This literal fulfilment of Jesus’ words sets the stage for the rest of the prophecies in this chapter. Just as this prophecy was fulfilled exactly as spoken, so too should we expect the rest of the events to unfold with similar precision.

The temple’s destruction in AD 70 was a huge turning point in the history of Jerusalem, Judaism, and Christianity. For the Jewish people, it was the loss of their most important and sacred place. The temple had been the centre of their worship and faith for centuries. It was where they offered sacrifices, prayed, and celebrated important festivals. Losing the temple was not just a loss of a building; it was the end of a way of life and a deep part of their identity. Without the temple, they could no longer follow the old religious practices in the same way, which left them struggling to understand what their faith meant in this new reality.

For early Christians, the destruction of the temple meant something even deeper. It signified the end of the old way of worship and the beginning of a new way. Christians believed that Jesus had fulfilled everything the temple represented. He had come to complete the law and to be the new place where people could meet God. Jesus had said that He was greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6) and that His body was the true temple (John 2:19-21). So, the destruction of the physical temple marked the end of the old system and the start of a new kind of relationship with God, one that wasn’t tied to a building but was available through Jesus.

This event also signified the establishment of God’s Kingdom in a new way. Jesus had taught that God’s Kingdom was coming, and with the temple’s destruction, that Kingdom was no longer something tied to a specific building or location. It was now centred on Jesus and His work. Jesus opened the way for all people to be reconciled with God through His death and resurrection. Christians saw this as God’s plan for salvation unfolding in a new way; no longer dependent on the temple or its sacrifices, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

In this way, the temple’s destruction was a powerful reminder that Jesus fulfilled God’s promises. It was a sign that the old way of worship was over, and a new way had begun. Christians believed the temple’s destruction confirmed Jesus as the Messiah and showed that His Kingdom was now established on earth, not in a physical building, but through His church. Worship was no longer about sacrifices and rituals in the temple but about living in a relationship with God through Jesus.

For early Christians, this event symbolised that God’s presence was no longer in the temple but was now found in Christ and the community of believers. The temple’s destruction in AD 70 marked the end of the old system and the beginning of the new covenant, where Jesus Christ was the focus. It wasn’t just the loss of a building; it was the beginning of a new way of worship that was open to everyone, everywhere. This shift in understanding transformed Christianity and spread worldwide, as people no longer needed to go to a specific place to worship God; they could worship in spirit and truth through Jesus. The temple’s fall in AD 70 wasn’t just a historical event; it was a sign of God’s bigger plan at work, showing that Jesus was the fulfilment of everything the temple had pointed to.

DTA – Neil McBride

(CEO and founder of Downtown Angels)