Bible Strands
Matthew 12:6
But I tell you that One greater than the temple is here.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses Sabbath critics in Matthew 12, speaking immediately after citing the priests' temple work as a Sabbath precedent. He makes this declaration while standing among them during a dispute over religious regulations.
The words — Jesus uses μεῖζόν (meizon, "greater") and ἱεροῦ (hi'erou, "temple") to state that a person surpassing the temple's status is present. The particle δὲ (de, "however") and conjunction ὅτι (hoti, "that") frame this as a direct counter to their legal argument.
The thread — The text links to Matthew 12:41, where a greater prophet confronts the current generation, and 2 Chronicles 6:18, which notes that the highest heavens cannot contain God. It also aligns with 1 Peter 2:4, which identifies Christ as the God-chosen stone rejected by men.
Why it lands — The text states that Jesus' presence overrides the temple's ritual authority and its Sabbath regulations before interpreters infer his divine status. It requires readers to measure His claims against the Law rather than relying on traditional Sabbath interpretations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Cross-references
- Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.
- 2 Chronicles 6:18 But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.
- 1 Peter 2:4 As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,
- Haggai 2:7 I will shake all the nations, and they will come with all their treasures, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts.
- Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- John 2:19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”
- Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
- Matthew 23:17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?
- Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.