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Christ and the Disciples at the Jerusalem Temple-- Jesus' turbulent three-and-a-half year ministry is now drawing to a close. As the disciples listen to Jesus they unknowingly stand at the eve of the betrayal, trial and crucifixion of Christ. Verses 1 and 2 provide the initial context of what was to be Jesus' last major discourse. Jesus has come out of the Temple in Jerusalem, accompanied by His leading disciples. We can sense the closeness between them. The text tells us that the disciples sought to show Jesus the buildings of the Temple. This is because they were deeply impressed by the beauty of the structure and its surroundings. (31:2) The presentation of this account in the Gospel suggests that Jesus is referring literally to the actual Temple building. This has traditionally been the popular understanding of this prophecy, for shortly after Jesus made this prophecy, the Temple was, in fact, literally destroyed. Moreover, this came to pass in a way very much as Jesus states, 'There shall not be left here one stone upon another'.
(31:3)
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