John 2:20

ESV The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?"

NIV They replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?"

NASB The Jews then said, 'It took forty-six years to build this temple, and yet You will raise it up in three days?'

CSB Therefore the Jews said, "This temple took forty-six years to build, and will you raise it up in three days?"

NLT What!' they exclaimed. 'It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?'

KJV Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

NKJV Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

What does John 2:20 mean?

The temple was massive and beautiful. Solomon had built a gorgeous structure (1 Kings 6), which was unfortunately raided by the Egyptians a few decades later (2 Chronicles 12:1–5). Israel eventually rebuilt it, as described in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The Rome-appointed king, Herod, was upgrading this "second temple" at the time Jesus began His ministry. It was the center of Jewish worship, and entirely necessary for proper sacrifices to God. When asked to perform a miracle to justify His disruption of trade inside the temple grounds (John 2:13–18), Jesus claimed He can rebuild a destroyed temple in three days (John 2:19).

In this gospel, "the Jews" are usually the scribes, Pharisees, and other religious leaders. They would have been offended at the idea that something so important could be so easily rebuilt. However, Jesus was predicting His own death and resurrection. This statement will be used against Jesus both during His trials (Matthew 26:61) and as heckling when He is crucified (Matthew 27:40). In AD 70, the Roman Empire would completely obliterate the temple and the Jewish sacrificial system would be erased (Mark 13:2; Hebrews 8:13).

Expand

Context Summary
John 2:13–23 describes Jesus driving corrupt businessmen from the temple. His wrath is not because of selling sacrifices, itself, but rather the greedy focus on money with no regard to serving God. Jesus is never depicted as out of control, but His anger is clear. It's likely that this is an early temple cleansing, and the other gospels record a second, separate incident. Jesus' right to act this way is challenged by the authorities. In typical Hebrew style, they demand a miraculous sign. Jesus instead predicts His own death and resurrection. This passage contrasts with the quiet, joyous miracle at the wedding.

Expand

Chapter Summary
Jesus attends a wedding where He performs His first miracle: turning water into wine. This symbolizes a transformation of human rituals into divine sacrifice. Few people are even aware that a miracle has occurred. Jesus then drives crooked businessmen out of the temple, scolding them for turning a sacred area into a crass marketplace.

Expand

What is the Gospel?

Download the app: