The Meaning of John 2:20 Explained

John 2:20

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

YLT: The Jews, therefore, said, 'Forty and six years was this sanctuary building, and wilt thou in three days raise it up?'

Darby: The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple building, and thou wilt raise it up in three days?

ASV: The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does John 2:20 Mean?

Context Summary

John 2:12-22 - Right And Wrong Uses Of God's House
This market was established in the Temple courts, and many evils were associated with it. The animals were sold at exorbitant prices, which made the dealers only the more covetous. The money-changers made considerable profit in supplying Jewish coins-which alone could be offered in the Temple service-in exchange for Roman and Greek money. Our Lord's presence was august, His soul being aflame with the passion of zeal for His Father's honor. The consciences of those who offended were smitten by the contrast between that holy zeal and their own eagerness to barter.
Our Lord's reference to His body as the true temple is very impressive and interesting. The Apostle adverts to it in 1 Corinthians 6:19. As Jesus cleansed the Temple so He can cleanse our hearts. When He comes to dwell within us, He finds our hearts desecrated by unholy things, which He quickly casts out. He sits as a refiner of silver: His fan is in His hand, and He thoroughly purges His floor. Our Lord's reference to the distraction of His body, by the act of the Jewish leaders, and to His resurrection, proves that from the first He had His sacrifice well before His eyes. In the next chapter this becomes the more apparent. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 2

1  Jesus turns water into wine;
12  departs into Capernaum,
13  and to Jerusalem,
14  where he purges the temple of buyers and sellers
18  He foretells his death and resurrection
23  Many believe because of his miracles, but he will not trust himself with them

Greek Commentary for John 2:20

Forty and six years was this temple in building [Τεσσερακοντα και εχ ετεσιν οικοδομητη ο ναος ουτος]
“Within forty and six years (associative instrumental case) was built (first aorist passive indicative, constative or summary use of the aorist, of οικοδομεω — oikodomeō without augment) this temple.” As a matter of fact, it was not yet finished, so distrustful had the Jews been of Herod. And wilt thou? An evident sneer in the use of συ — su (thou, an unknown upstart from Galilee, of the peasant class, not one of the Sanhedrin, not one of the ecclesiastics or even architects). [source]
Forty and six years was this temple in building [τεσσαράκοντα καὶ ἓξ ἔτεσιν ῷκοδομήθη ὁ ναὸς οὗτος]
Literally, In forty and six years was this temple built. It was spoken of as completed, although not finished until thirty-six years later. [source]
Thou []
The position of the Greek pronoun makes it emphatic. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 2:20

Matthew 24:1 Went out from the temple [εχελτων απο του ιερου]
All the discourses since Matthew 21:23 have been in the temple courts But now Jesus leaves it for good after the powerful denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees in chapter 23. His public teaching is over. It was a tragic moment. As he was going out They were familiar to Jesus and the disciples, but beautiful like a snow mountain (Josephus, Wars V,5, 6), the monument that Herod the Great had begun and that was not yet complete (John 2:20). Great stones were there of polished marble. [source]
John 8:12 The light of the world [τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου]
Not λύχνος , a lamp, as John the Baptist (John 8:35). Light is another of John's characteristic terms and ideas, playing a most important part in his writings, as related to the manifestation of Jesus and His work upon men. He comes from God, who is light (1 John 1:5). “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). The Word was among men as light before the incarnation (John 1:9; John 9:5), and light came with the incarnation (John 3:19-21; John 8:12; John 12:46). Christ is light through the illuminating energy of the Spirit (John 14:21, John 14:26; John 16:13; 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27), which is received through love (John 14:22, John 14:23). The object of Christ's work is to make men sons of light (Isaiah 60:1-3 John 12:46), and to endow them with the light of life (John 8:12). In John 8:20, we are told that Jesus spake these words in the Treasury. This was in the Court of the Women, the most public part of the temple. Four golden candelabra stood there, each with four golden bowls, each one filled from a pitcher of oil by a youth of priestly descent. These were lighted on the first night of the Feast of Tabernacles. It is not unlikely that they may have suggested our Lord's figure, but the figure itself was familiar both from prophecy and from tradition. According to tradition, Light was one of the names of the Messiah. See Isaiah 9:1; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; John 12:36,; Malachi 4:2; Luke 2:32. [source]
John 7:39 The Holy Ghost [πνεῦμα ἅγιον]
The best texts omit ἅγιον , holy, and the definite article is not in the text, so that the strict rendering is simply spirit. Literally, spirit was not yet. Given, in A.V. and Rev., is added to guard against a possible misconception, which, as Alford observes, “no intelligent reader could fall into.” The word spirit, standing thus alone, marks, not the personal Spirit, but His operation or gift or manifestation. Canon Westcott aptly says: “It is impossible not to contrast the mysteriousness of this utterance with the clear teaching of St. John himself on the 'unction' of believers (1 John 2:20sqq.), which forms a commentary, gained by later experience, upon the words of the Lord.” [source]
John 3:11 We speak - we know - we have seen []
After the use of the singular number in John 3:3, John 3:5, John 3:7, John 3:12, the plural here is noteworthy. It is not merely rhetorical - “a plural of majesty” - but is explained by John 3:8, “every one that is born of the Spirit.” The new birth imparts a new vision. The man who is born of the Spirit hath eternal life (John 3:36); and life eternal is to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent (John 17:3). “Ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know ( οἴδατε ) all things” (1 John 2:20). He who is born of water and of the Spirit sees the kingdom of God. This we therefore includes, with Jesus, all who are truly born anew of the Spirit. Jesus meets the we know of Nicodemus (John 3:2), referring to the class to which he belonged, with another we know, referring to another class, of which He was the head and representative. We know ( οἴδαμεν ), absolutely. See on John 2:24. [source]
John 2:22 Was risen [ἠγέρθη]
Rev., more correctly, was raised. The same verb as in John 2:19, John 2:20. [source]
John 17:11 Holy [ἅγιε]
See on saints, Acts 26:10; also see on 1 Peter 1:15. Compare 1 John 2:20, and righteous Father ( δίκαιε ), John 17:25. This epithet, now first applied to the Father, contemplates God, the holy One, as the agent of that which Christ desires for His disciples - holiness of heart and life; being kept from this evil world. [source]
John 17:11 And these [και ουτοι]
Note adversative use of και — kai (= but these). I come Futuristic present, “I am coming.” Cf. John 13:3; John 14:12; John 17:13. Christ will no longer be visibly present to the world, but he will be with the believers through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:20). Holy Father Only here in the N.T., but see 1 John 2:20; Luke 1:49 for the holiness of God, a thoroughly Jewish conception. See John 6:69 where Peter calls Jesus ο αγιος του τεου — ho hagios tou theou For the word applied to saints see Acts 9:13. See John 17:25 for πατηρ δικαιε — patēr dikaie (Righteous Father). Keep them First aorist (constative) active imperative of τηρεω — tēreō as now specially needing the Father‘s care with Jesus gone (urgency of the aorist tense in prayer). Which Locative case of the neuter relative singular, attracted from the accusative ο — ho to the case of the antecedent ονοματι — onomati (name). That they may be one Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the present active subjunctive of ειμι — eimi (that they may keep on being). Oneness of will and spirit This is Christ‘s prayer for all believers, for unity, not for organic union of which we hear so much. The disciples had union, but lacked unity or oneness of spirit as was shown this very evening at the supper (Luke 22:24; John 13:4-15). Jesus offers the unity in the Trinity (three persons, but one God) as the model for believers. The witness of the disciples will fail without harmony (John 17:21). [source]
2 Corinthians 1:21 Anointed [χρισας]
From χριω — chriō to anoint, old verb, to consecrate, with the Holy Spirit here as in 1 John 2:20. [source]
1 John 5:18 We know [οἴδαμεν]
John uses this appeal to knowledge in two forms: we know (1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:14; 1 John 5:18, 1 John 5:19, 1 John 5:20); ye know (1 John 2:20; 1 John 3:5, 1 John 3:15). [source]
1 John 3:5 Ye know []
John's characteristic appeal to Christian knowledge. Compare 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:21; 1 John 4:2, 1 John 4:14, 1 John 4:16; 1 John 5:15, 1 John 5:18; 3 John 1:12. [source]
1 John 5:18 We know [οιδαμεν]
As in 1 John 3:2, 1 John 3:14; 1 John 5:15, 1 John 5:19, 1 John 5:20. He has “ye know” in 1 John 2:20; 1 John 3:5, 1 John 3:15. [source]
Revelation 3:18 Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve [κολλούριον ἔγχρισον τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου]
The correct reading is ἔγχρισαι , the infinitive, to anoint, instead of the imperative. So Rev., eye-salve to anoint thine eyes. Κολλούριον , of which the Latin collyrium is a transcript, is a diminutive of κολλύρα aroll of coarse bread. See 1 Kings 14:3, Sept.; A.V., cracknels. Here applied to a roll or stick of ointment for the eyes. Horace, describing his Brundisian journey, relates how, at one point, he was troubled with inflamed eyes, and anointed them with black eye-salve (nigra collyria. Sat., i., v., 30). Juvenal, describing a superstitious woman, says: “If the corner of her eye itches when rubbed, she consults her horoscope before calling for salve ” (collyria; vi., 577). The figure sets forth the spiritual anointing by which the spiritual vision is purged. Compare Augustine, “Confessions,” vii., 7,8. “Through my own swelling was I separated from Thee; yea, my pride-swollen face closed up mine eyes … . It was pleasing in Thy sight to reform my deformities; and by inward goads didst Thou rouse me, that I should be ill at ease until Thou wert manifested to my inward sight. Thus, by the secret hand of Thy medicining, was my swelling abated, and the troubled and bedimmed eyesight of my mind, by the smarting anointings of healthful sorrows, was from day to day healed.” Compare 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27. [source]
Revelation 3:7 The holy, he that is true [ο αγιοσ ο αλητινος]
Separate articles (four in all) for each item in this description. “The holy, the genuine.” Asyndeton in the Greek. Latin Vulgate, Sanctus et Verus. αγιος — Hosea hagios is ascribed to God in Revelation 4:8; Revelation 6:10 (both αλητινος — hagios and αλητινος — alēthinos as here), but to Christ in Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; John 6:69; Acts 4:27, Acts 4:30; 1 John 2:20, a recognized title of the Messiah as the consecrated one set apart. Swete notes that αλητης — alēthinos is verus as distinguished from verax So it is applied to God in Revelation 6:10 and to Christ in Revelation 3:14; Revelation 19:11 as in John 1:9; John 6:32; John 15:1.He that hath the key of David (και ουδεις κλεισει — ho echōn tēn klein Daueid). This epithet comes from Isaiah 22:22, where Eliakim as the chief steward of the royal household holds the keys of power. Christ as the Messiah (Revelation 5:5; Revelation 22:16) has exclusive power in heaven, on earth, and in Hades (Matthew 16:19; Matthew 28:18; Romans 14:9; Philemon 2:9.; Revelation 1:18). Christ has power to admit and exclude of his own will (Matthew 25:10.; Ephesians 1:22; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 19:11-16; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 22:16).And none shall shut Charles calls the structure Hebrew (future active indicative of ο ανοιγων — kleiō), and not Greek because it does not correspond to the present articular participle just before και ουδεις ανοιγει — ho anoigōn (the one opening), but it occurs often in this book as in the very next clause, “and none openeth” (κλειων — kai oudeis anoigei) over against κλειει — kleiōn (present active participle, opening) though here some MSS. read kleiei (present active indicative, open). [source]

What do the individual words in John 2:20 mean?

Said therefore the Jews Forty and six years was built the temple this You in three days will raise up it
Εἶπαν οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι Τεσσεράκοντα καὶ ἓξ ἔτεσιν οἰκοδομήθη ναὸς οὗτος σὺ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις ἐγερεῖς αὐτόν

Εἶπαν  Said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
Ἰουδαῖοι  Jews 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: Ἰουδαῖος  
Sense: Jewish, belonging to the Jewish race.
Τεσσεράκοντα  Forty 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: τεσσαράκοντα 
Sense: forty.
ἓξ  six 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ἕξ  
Sense: six.
ἔτεσιν  years 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔτος  
Sense: year.
οἰκοδομήθη  was  built 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: οἰκοδομέω 
Sense: to build a house, erect a building.
ναὸς  temple 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ναός  
Sense: used of the temple at Jerusalem, but only of the sacred edifice (or sanctuary) itself, consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies (in classical Greek it is used of the sanctuary or cell of the temple, where the image of gold was placed which is distinguished from the whole enclosure).
οὗτος  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
τρισὶν  three 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: τρεῖς 
Sense: three.
ἡμέραις  days 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἡμέρα  
Sense: the day, used of the natural day, or the interval between sunrise and sunset, as distinguished from and contrasted with the night.
ἐγερεῖς  will  raise  up 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἐγείρω  
Sense: to arouse, cause to rise.

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