"THE KING, THE CHRONICLER, AND THE CHRIST: REFRAMING THE TEMPLE THROUGH JESUS"
- Matt Rowell
- May 20
- 5 min read
During the time of Jesus, the Jerusalem temple was often busy with those who were participating in worship, offering sacrifices, and learning from the teachers of the law. It was known for its splendor and beauty and was at the center of religious life in Judaism. Though it was a renovation project of King Herod, that also included a significant expansion, it was an architectural marvel. Even the Jewish-Roman historian, Josephus, offers a detailed glimpse into the details of the structure.
Josephus on Herod the Great
Born shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus in the first-century, Flavius Josephus served as a Jewish-Roman historian. He has served a Jewish military leader, and later as a historian for the Roman empire, who is especially known for his works Antiquities of the Jews and The Jewish Wars, which offers insight into the political, religious, and daily life of the Jewish people during antiquity.
He was certainly not Christian, but his writings allow us to possess a greater glimpse into the world of the New Testament—as if providing a front row seat in the Jewish world, most importantly regarding the Temple, Herod the Great, and the tensions surrounding what eventually lead to Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD.
Herod’s Temple and Intentions
Appointed as king over the providence of Judea by the Roman Senate, Herod “the Great” had a reputation for being ruthless, yet brilliant. He was an Idumean (Edomite), though earlier his family had converted to Judaism, but this often caused tensions among the Jews. He desired to have favor among his Jewish subjects; therefore, he was ambitious in renovating the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
The construction of the Second Temple took place in the 6th century BC. It was after the return of the Jewish exile from Babylon, which took place under the influence and guidance of Zerubbabel, and later Ezra, along with Joshua the High Priest, and Nehemiah who led the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. However, the Second Temple did not compare to splendor of Solomon’s Temple.
According to Josephus, it was Herod’s desire to renovate and rebuild the Second Temple to be comparable to that of Solomon’s. He also said that it was not only for the purpose of worship and religious observances—it was to impress not only the Jews, but also the Romans. Herod endeavored to improve his reputation among both communities, and to win favor with them.[1]
One of the many challenges that Herod had faced, according to Josephus, is how to convince the Jewish Temple leaders of the renovation and expansion, while keeping the sacrificial offerings and temple activities ongoing. The temple leaders were concerned that the construction and renovation would cause the temple practices to cease until they were complete. So, he had to make sure to at least give the impression that he was respecting the sacredness of the temple, while endeavoring to fulfill his vision of this archaeological marvel.
An Ancient Marvel
Josephus also testifies that the Temple was magnificent beyond words. The exterior was covered in beautiful gates, gold, white polished marble. He also stated that the stones were massive and very heavy. And when the sun rose and begin to shine on the Temple, those who were approaching the city could not even look at it because of its bright reflection.
Josephus wrote:
“The exterior of the building wanted nothing that could astound either mind or eye. For, being covered on all sides with massive plates of gold, the sun was no sooner up than it radiated so fiery a flash that persons straining to look at it were compelled to avert their eyes, as from the solar rays. To approaching strangers, it appeared from a distance like a snow-clad mountain; for all that was not overlaid with gold was of purest white.” [2]
As noted by Josephus, Herod’s intentions were not entirely pure. His longing for prestige and favor among the Jews and Romans would politically and socially legitimize his role. And even though he made the effort to beautify and expand the Temple, his allegiance and devotion was to Rome. Although Herod was politically ambitious, he was also known for being paranoid and brutal towards his enemies, even his own family.
The Christ and the Temple
Just before his death, Herod was made aware that magi (“wise men”) were looking for a child that had been born, and this child would become the “king of the Jews.” After inquiring from his chief priests and scribes about the news, he sought to speak with the magi in private. Though he requested to meet and worship the child, the magi, being warned in a dream not to return, they avoided Herod and did not share location of the child’s whereabouts.
This led to Herod’s decree to have every child two years and under killed (Matthew 2). In his desire to eliminate his rivals, in fear that this child would one day attempt to take his throne, he considered him to be a direct threat to his reign. Yet, his deceptive plan did not work, and Herod died shortly after.
The Temple, which Herod deemed to be one of the greatest feats of his administration—one of which would legitimize his reign, and though it was the center of Jewish worship, this architectural marvel would become the place where Jesus as an infant would be blessed by Simeon and the Prophetess Anna. It was the place where Jesus would overthrow the tables with a righteous zeal, rebuking the corruption and greed that had become part of its Temple activities. It was the place where Jesus informed the religious elites that “something greater than the temple was now present.” And it was a place where the apostles themselves would proclaim the resurrection of the Christ!
Why Is This Important?
Why is this significant for us today? It’s a wonderful account of the realities of God’s wonderful plan and purposes. Though it was destroyed in 70 AD, we see Christ as a fulfillment of the Temple. The purpose of the Temple was to be the place where the presence of God resided, we can now see through the perfect work of Christ, that his desire is not to dwell in buildings made of stone, gold, and marble. He desires to dwell in the hearts of his people.
Even though Josephus offers an important account of the Temple and Herod’s endeavors, it is a reminder that God has no interest in dwelling in buildings, no matter how extravagant they look, or how impressive the materials are that make up the structure. His followers are now his temple (1 Corinthians 3:16); they are “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). The Spirit of Christ now resides within each Christian that give their allegiance to him. And we worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
[1] Antiquities 15.380–425
[2] Jewish War 5.222