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The Temple in Jerusalem

Text: John 10: 23-24

THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

The original Temple was built by King Solomon (2 Chronicles 3-7). It was a truly magnificent building and was very costly. Unfortunately, the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Israel was in exile for seventy years as a punishment from the Lord for forsaking Him and for turning to idolatry.

The second Temple was built after Israel was allowed to return to their homeland by the Persian King Cyrus (Ezra 1-5). But it took a special decree from King Darius before the Temple project could be completed (Ezra 6). The second temple was much humbler. The returning Jews struggled to rebuild their homeland and their lives after having been exiled for seven decades. That building project was resisted by the enemies of Israel. It took a special decree from King Darius to ensure the completion of the temple project.

The Temple in the days of Jesus was the largest one of all. The Jerusalem temple took forty-six years to build (John 2:20). King Herod was the one who undertook the task of building this famous temple.

SOLOMON’S PORCH

There were several areas that were open to the public. One of those areas was called “Solomon’s Porch”. It was given this name to honour King Solomon for the first Temple that he built for Israel. There was an inner sanctuary that only priests could enter into.

Solomon’s Porch was part of the Temple grounds, but not the inner sanctuary. Jesus used this area to teach the people who came to Him. This was winter time so He taught from within the Temple grounds.

ANOTHER ENCOUNTER WITH THE JEWS

Once again, the Jews sought to engage Jesus. They were still determined to destroy Him if they could.

“Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, ‘How long do You keep us in doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’”

John 10:24

1. “The Jews surrounded Him and said to Him”

a. Jerusalem may be described as “the stronghold” of the Jews.

b. They felt bolder because they were in Jerusalem.

i. This was the religious capital of Israel.

ii. The highest religious Council was called the Sanhedrin.

iii. Their headquarters were in Jerusalem.

2. “How long do You keep us in doubt”

a. If the Jews had any doubt, they only had themselves to blame.

b. Jesus had done His part and more.

i. He had taught effectively.

ii. He had healed many with the power of God.

c. The Jews however sought to blame Jesus for their doubts.

3. “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly”

a. They demanded that Jesus make His claim as the Christ in an open declaration.

b. They wanted Jesus to say “I am Jesus the Christ”.

经文：约翰福音 10: 23-24

在耶路撒冷的圣殿

原本的圣殿是由所罗门王所造《历代志下 3-7》。圣殿非常壮观且昂贵。不幸的，圣殿在公元 586 被巴比伦人给毁灭了。由于以色列舍弃了主来崇拜偶像，他们被流放了七十年以做为惩罚。

当波斯王古列允许以色列人回到他们的家园后，第二座圣殿才被建起 《以斯拉记 1-5》。不过，这得需要大利乌王特别加盖玉溪，才能够完成圣殿的建筑工程《以斯拉记 6》。第二座圣殿相比之下没有那么壮观。被流放七十年而回归的犹太人，无论在重建家园或生活方面都得挣扎。圣殿的建筑工程受到了以色列敌人的阻碍。大利乌王得特别加盖玉溪，才能确保圣殿顺利竣工。

在耶稣时候的圣殿可说是最庞大的建筑。耶路撒冷的圣殿的建造共花了四十六年《约翰福音 2: 20》。希律王就是负责建造这座著名圣殿的人。

所罗门的廊

圣殿里有许多公共的场所。其中之一就是“所罗门的廊”。这么起名是为了荣耀所罗门王，因为他为以色列建造了第一座圣殿。圣殿里的内殿只容许祭司进入。

所罗门的廊在圣殿的范围内，但却不是内殿。耶稣利用了这个地方教训那些来到祂面前的人。由于当时是冬天，所以祂在圣殿的范围内教训人。

再次和犹太人接触

犹太人再次与耶稣交战。他们依然想尽可能毁灭耶稣。

“犹太人围着他，说：‘你叫我们犹疑不定到几时呢？你若是基督，就明明地告诉我们。’”

《约翰福音 10：24》

1. “犹太人围着他，说”

a. 耶路撒冷可以被比喻为犹太人的“高台”

b. 由于他们在耶路撒冷，所以感到更加胆大

i. 这是以色列的宗教首都

ii. 公会是最高权威的宗教理事会

iii. 他们的总部在耶路撒冷

2. “你叫我们犹疑不定到几时呢？”

a. 如果犹太人有任何质疑，他们只能怪自己

b. 耶稣已尽了本分，祂所做的甚至更多

i. 祂有效地教训人

ii. 祂以上帝的力量医治了许多人

c. 然而，犹太人却因自己的质疑而指责耶稣

3. “你若是基督，就明明地告诉我们。”

a. 他们坚决要求耶稣公开声明祂是基督

b. 他们要耶稣说：“我就是耶稣基督。”