John 2:21 Commentary and Bible Study

Christ had a perfect right to speak of his body as the temple, for the temple of the Old Testament was only a type and symbol of his body. Hebrews tells us that while the veil that prevented access into the Holiest of all remained in place, and while the high priest was only allowed in once a year and not without blood, then the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest. That way was opened when Christ shed his blood and his body was broken for us, and he entered in once into the holy place. The continued standing of the first tabernacle marked the barring of entrance into the holiest of all, but when Christ died the way was opened. After his death it was therefore inappropriate that the first tabernacle should continue to stand, and soon afterwards in the providence of God it was destroyed so that there was not left one stone upon another that was not thrown down.That beautiful building that they called the temple, prescribed and designed by God, given to them, that was not the real temple. The ancient tabernacle in the wilderness, and the temples that followed represented the temple ‘not made with hands’ – that is, the Messiah; Christ is the temple. He is the one in whom the glory of God really dwells. He is the one where people meet with God. If you want to meet with God, if you want your sins forgive, where do you go? You go to Christ. While he was on earth he had every right to speak of his body as the temple.