and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed here is that the accusers deliberately twisted Jesus' words. He spoke of his body as a "temple" that he would raise in three days, but they twisted it to sound like he was boasting about destroying the physical temple in Jerusalem. They changed "I will raise it up" to "I am able to destroy," changing the focus from divine resurrection to destructive power.
and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been arrested and is now facing a rigged trial before the religious leaders. False witnesses are brought forward to twist his words and fabricate accusations, specifically misquoting his earlier statement about destroying and rebuilding "this temple" in three days. They deliberately distort his words, turning a prophecy about his own body into an alleged threat against the physical temple in Jerusalem, all in an effort to have him condemned.
Ever feel like your words have been twisted to mean something they didn't? The religious leaders did just that to Jesus.
Jesus' trial wasn't about justice; it was a setup. The witnesses against Him deliberately distorted His words from John 2:19.
What is the 'temple' Jesus was really talking about? It wasn't what the accusers wanted you to believe.
The core of the accusation lies in a profound misunderstanding – or wilful misrepresentation – of what Jesus meant by 'temple'.
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Understand the original words
naos · Greek Noun
In the Old Testament, this refers to the physical structure in Jerusalem where God's presence dwelt; in the New Testament, it is used metaphorically for the body of Christ or the community of believers where God resides by His Spirit.
The accusation leveled against Jesus in Matthew 26:61 is a deliberate distortion of his words spoken years earlier about his resurrection. The false witnesses twist his reference to his body into a threat against the physical temple, highlighting the deceptive tactics used to condemn him.
c. AD 27-28
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Early in his ministry, Jesus drives merchants from the temple in Jerusalem, an act that sparks conflict with religious authorities. During this time, he makes a cryptic statement about destroying and rebuilding 'this temple' in three days, referring to his own body.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Teachings
Throughout his public ministry, Jesus speaks of his impending death and resurrection multiple times, but his followers often misunderstand his meaning, taking his words literally.
April 7, AD 30 (approximate)
Jesus Arrested in Gethsemane
Following his betrayal by Judas, Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane by temple guards and taken to the high priest Caiaphas's residence.
April 7, AD 30 (approximate)— this verse
Jesus' Trial Before Caiaphas
During a hasty, illegal night trial before the Sanhedrin, presided over by Caiaphas, false witnesses are brought forward to testify against Jesus. They twist his words about the temple.
April 8, AD 30 (approximate)
Jesus' Trial Before Pilate
After his condemnation by the Jewish authorities, Jesus is handed over to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate for final sentencing.
This passage is the direct source of the false testimony, showing Jesus speaking of His body as the temple, which the accusers distorted to mean the physical Jerusalem temple.
1 Corinthians 3:16This New Testament passage echoes the 'temple of God' concept, applying it to believers as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, which helps us understand Jesus' spiritual meaning of the temple.
Acts 6:14This passage describes a similar accusation against Stephen, showing how Jesus' followers were also accused of speaking against the temple and its law, highlighting a recurring theme of misrepresentation.
Isaiah 53:7This Old Testament prophecy foretells the suffering servant being led like a lamb to the slaughter, silent before his accusers, which parallels Jesus' silence and the unjust treatment He endured.
barnesMatthew 26:61: "And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days."
And said, This fellow said ... - Mark has recorded this testimony differently. According to him, they said, "We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another. made without hands." Probably both forms of giving in the testimony were used on the trial, and Matthew has recorded it as it was given at one time and Mark at…
henryMatthew 26:57-68: "And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled."
26:57-68 Jesus was hurried into Jerusalem. It looks ill, and bodes worse, when those who are willing to be Christ's disciples, are not willing to be known to be so. Here began Peter's denying him: for to follow Christ afar off, is to begin to go back from him. It is more our concern to prepare for the end, whatever it may be, than curiously to ask w…
What's easily missed here is that the accusers deliberately twisted Jesus' words. He spoke of his body as a "temple" that he would raise in three days, but they twisted it to sound like he was boasting about destroying the physical temple in Jerusalem. They changed "I will raise it up" to "I am able to destroy," changing the focus from divine resurrection to destructive power.
Jesus has just been arrested and is now facing a rigged trial before the religious leaders. False witnesses are brought forward to twist his words and fabricate accusations, specifically misquoting his earlier statement about destroying and rebuilding "this temple" in three days. They deliberately distort his words, turning a prophecy about his own body into an alleged threat against the physical temple in Jerusalem, all in an effort to have him condemned.
Jesus has just been arrested and is now facing a rigged trial before the religious leaders. False witnesses are brought forward to twist his words and fabricate accusations, specifically misquoting his earlier statement about destroying and rebuilding "this temple" in three days. They deliberately distort his words, turning a prophecy about his own body into an alleged threat against the physical temple in Jerusalem, all in an effort to have him condemned.
"and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’”" — What's easily missed here is that the accusers deliberately twisted Jesus' words. He spoke of his body as a "temple" that he would raise in three days, but they twisted it to sound like he was boasti…
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Last reviewed October 2026