Mark 13:1-2, Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

¹ And as he came out of the temple [this symbolizes the temple’s end in the purposes of God], one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” ² And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” [Micah and Jeremiah predicted the destruction of Solomon’s temple, which occurred in 587 BC. Jesus now goes against contemporary Jewish belief that this temple rebuilt by Herrod the Great was indestructible. In making this statement, Jesus rejects Jewish nationalism and her leaders whose power was focused on the temple and its rituals. Jesus is warning his disciples against four great spiritual dangers: 1) the reliance upon the outward symbols of religion (the temple and its sacrificial system); 2) the deception of false Messiahs (vv. 5-6); 3) the distraction of the world in turmoil around them (vv. 7-8); and 4) being tripped up because of the severity of the persecution they will face because of their faith (v. 9ff).]