Jesus had been teaching in the temple all week. He had given many wise teachings and responded to confrontations by the Jewish religious establishment. Matthew records that Jesus pronounced woes against the religious leaders at the end of the last day of teaching. Jesus concluded the woes by stating, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'” The disciples were shocked.
Jesus left the temple and traveled to the Mount of Olives. On the journey, the disciples started talking about the temple buildings, especially being sure to mention its large, beautiful stones (5; Matthew 24:1; Luke 13:1) because they had a hard time accepting what Jesus said about the destruction of the temple. One in particular was saying, “Look at these stones. Will they really be toppled down? They’re so big. Take a look at how big they are. Who can tear down such large stones?” (I am paraphrasing.) Jesus confirmed they will all be torn down (6).
A clear distinction can be seen between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus knew that worshiping God was not about buildings and appearances before others. Jesus knew that worshiping God is about accepting God’s son and worshiping him through obedient love and reverential fear. John records that at this time, “Jesus cried out, ‘When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:44-46).
