How is Temple Used in the Bible?
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Key Facts
Term Name
Temple
Primary Meaning
Represents God’s dwelling place and covenantal presence with humanity.
Old Testament Reference
Exodus 25:8, where God commands the construction of the Tabernacle.
New Testament Fulfillment
Jesus’ body as the new Temple (John 2:19-21) and believers as God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Key Takeaways
- The Temple symbolizes God’s presence among His people and covenant relationship.
- Jesus redefines the Temple as His body, fulfilling its purpose through Resurrection.
- believers today are described as God’s temple, emphasizing spiritual indwelling.
The Temple in the Old Testament
The Temple’s origins are rooted in God’s covenant with Israel, as outlined in Exodus 25-27 and realized in the construction under Solomon in 1 Kings 5-8.
In Exodus 25:8, God commands Moses to build a sanctuary where He may dwell among His people, establishing the Temple as a physical manifestation of His covenant. The detailed specifications for the Tabernacle (Exodus 25-27) reflect God’s holiness, requiring meticulous adherence to His design. Solomon’s later construction of the Temple (1 Kings 5-8) fulfills this vision, creating a permanent structure for worship and covenant renewal.
By anchoring the Temple to both divine instruction and human craftsmanship, the biblical narrative underscores its role as a sacred space where heaven and earth intersect. This foundation shapes later understandings of the Temple’s significance in Israel’s faith and its symbolic resonance in the New Testament.
Jesus as the Temple Reimagined
Jesus redefines the Temple symbol through his resurrection, transforming the physical structure into a metaphor for his incarnate body and the indwelling presence of God.
In John 2:19-21, Jesus declares, *'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,'* a statement the disciples later recognize as referring to his body. This reimagining positions Jesus as the new sacred space where heaven and earth meet, replacing the need for a human-built Temple. By linking his resurrection to the Temple’s function, Jesus asserts his authority over divine presence and covenant fulfillment, signaling that his person embodies God’s holiness and accessibility. The disciples’ eventual understanding underscores the shift from a static, earthly sanctuary to a living, dynamic embodiment of God’s presence.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 extends this theme, with Paul writing, *'You are the temple of the living God,'* a direct allusion to Exodus 25:8 but applied to believers united with Christ. Here, Jesus’ redefinition of the Temple culminates in a communal, spiritual reality that transcends physical boundaries.
Hebrews 9-10 elaborates on this fulfillment, arguing that Jesus’ sacrifice surpasses the Temple’s rituals by securing eternal redemption. The author contrasts the temporary, symbolic cleansing of the old covenant with the perfect, once-for-all atonement of Christ’s body. This reorientation of the Temple’s purpose—from a site of repeated offerings to the incarnate High Priest—bridges to the broader New Testament vision of God’s presence dwelling in and through the church.
The Temple's Meaning for Believers Today
The New Testament reorients the Temple symbol to emphasize believers as God's dwelling place in Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul declares, 'Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you... If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him,' framing believers as sacred spaces where divine presence resides. Similarly, 6:19-20 states, 'Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit... So glorify God in your body,' extending this identity to individual holiness. These passages reframe worship as living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), community as a unified body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), and spiritual growth as stewardship of God's indwelling presence. Such imagery calls Christians to cultivate reverence in daily life, recognizing that their choices and relationships reflect the holiness of the Temple they now embody.
Exploring Further
Additional biblical texts, such as Ezekiel’s visionary Temple description and Revelation’s New Jerusalem, expand the Temple’s symbolic reach into eschatological hope and divine dwelling.
Ezekiel 40-48 outlines a detailed post-exilic Temple, reflecting restored covenantal order, while Revelation 21 depicts a world where God’s presence permeates all creation, rendering a physical Temple obsolete. Scholars debate whether these passages literalize Temple ideals or metaphorically signify God’s ultimate redemption, highlighting the symbol’s adaptability across biblical history.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
John 2:19-21
Jesus declares His body as the new Temple, fulfilled in His resurrection.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Paul identifies believers as God’s temple, emphasizing their sacred identity.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18
Paul extends the Temple metaphor to the church as God’s dwelling place.
Related Concepts
Tabernacle (Symbols)
The portable sanctuary prefiguring the Temple’s role as God’s dwelling place.
Covenant (Theological Concepts)
The Temple embodies God’s covenantal presence and faithfulness to Israel.
Holiness (Terms)
The Temple’s design and function reflect God’s holiness and separation.