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The temple itself was 60 X 20 cubits in area and 40 cubits high. A cubit was 21.85 inches, so the building was 109 X 36 ft. (33 X 11 m).

The temple itself was 60 X 20 cubits in area and 40 cubits high. A cubit was 21.85 inches, so the building was 109 X 36 ft. (33 X 11 m).

In contrast to the Josephus, the Mishna gives dimensions of 500 cubits by 500 cubits (861 X 861 ft., 262.50 X 262.5 m).<ref>Mishna, Middoth 2: 1-2.</ref> The Mishna's description is suspiciously similar to Ezekiel's ideal temple and was written well after the temple no longer existed.<ref>Ezekiel 45:2.</ref> So it is less likely to be based on observation than is Josephus's.

In contrast to the Josephus, the Mishna gives dimensions of 500 cubits by 500 cubits (861 X 861 ft., 262.50 X 262.5 m).<ref>Mishna, Middoth 2: 1-2.</ref> The Mishna's description is suspiciously similar to Ezekiel's ideal temple and was written well after the temple no longer existed.<ref>{{bibleverse||Ezekiel|45:2|ESV}}.</ref> So it is less likely to be based on observation than is Josephus's.

==Location of the temple==

==Location of the temple==

===Dome of the Spirits===

===Dome of the Spirits===

An alternative theory described by physicist Asher Kaufman is based on a saying in the Mishna that the temple was due west of the eastern gate.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.54a.7?ven=William_Davidson_Edition_-_English&lang=bi Berakhot 54a:7] "One may not act irreverently or conduct himself flippantly opposite the eastern gate of the Temple Mount, which is aligned opposite the Holy of Holies."</ref> The current eastern gate, or Golden Gate, was built by Justinian in the sixth century. It was sealed off by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1541. The sealing of the gate fulfills a prophesy by Ezekiel.<ref>Ezekiel 44:2.</ref> If the location of this gate corresponds to the Herodian gate, that would put the temple at the Dome of the Spirits (or Dome of the Tablets), which is 330 feet north of the Dome of the Rock. This site is sacred to the Sufi sect. The name "Dome of the Tablets" suggests that a tradition connected this site to the temple. But the dome was built in the tenth century, by which time the Golden Gate was standing at its current location.<ref name="dolphin"/>

An alternative theory described by physicist Asher Kaufman is based on a saying in the Mishna that the temple was due west of the eastern gate.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.54a.7?ven=William_Davidson_Edition_-_English&lang=bi Berakhot 54a:7] "One may not act irreverently or conduct himself flippantly opposite the eastern gate of the Temple Mount, which is aligned opposite the Holy of Holies."</ref> The current eastern gate, or Golden Gate, was built by Justinian in the sixth century. It was sealed off by Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1541. The sealing of the gate fulfills a prophesy by Ezekiel.<ref>{{bibleverse||Ezekiel|44:2|ESV}}.</ref> If the location of this gate corresponds to the Herodian gate, that would put the temple at the Dome of the Spirits (or Dome of the Tablets), which is 330 feet north of the Dome of the Rock. This site is sacred to the Sufi sect. The name "Dome of the Tablets" suggests that a tradition connected this site to the temple. But the dome was built in the tenth century, by which time the Golden Gate was standing at its current location.<ref name="dolphin"/>

==Jesus==

==Jesus==

Several well-known episodes in the life of Jesus occurred at the Herodian temple. Mary brought Jesus to the temple forty days after he was was born.<ref>Luke 2:22–2:40.</ref> He returned as a 12-year-old to debate the Pharisees.<ref>Luke 2.41-52.</ref> During his ministry, Jesus visited the temple and was outrage by the sight marketers defiling it. He angrily overturned the tables of the money changers.<ref>Mark 11.15-19; Matt. 21.12-17; Luke 19.45-48; John 2.13-25.</ref> In the temptation narrative, the devil brought Jesus to the "pinnacle of the Temple" and challenged him to prove that he son of the God by throwing himself off.<ref>Matt. 4.1-11; Luke 4.1-13.</ref>

Several well-known episodes in the life of Jesus occurred at the Herodian temple. Mary brought Jesus to the temple forty days after he was was born.<ref>{{bibleverse||Luke|2:22-2:40|ESV}}.</ref> He returned as a 12-year-old to debate the Pharisees.<ref>{{bibleverse||Luke|2:41-52|ESV}}.</ref> During his ministry, Jesus visited the temple and was outrage by the sight marketers defiling it. He angrily overturned the tables of the money changers.<ref>{{bibleverse||Mark|11.15-19|ESV}}, {{bibleverse||Matthew|21.12-17|ESV}}, {{bibleverse||Luke|19:45-48|ESV}}, and {{bibleverse||John|2:13-25|ESV}}.</ref> In the temptation narrative, the devil brought Jesus to the "pinnacle of the Temple" and challenged him to prove that he son of the God by throwing himself off.<ref>{{bibleverse||Matthew|4:1-11|ESV}}; {{bibleverse||Luke|4:1-13|ESV}}.</ref>

According to Matthew: {{cquote|Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”<ref>Matthew 24:1-2 (ESV).</ref>}} This prophesy was fulfilled with the destruction of the Herodian temple by Titus in 70 AD.

According to Matthew: {{cquote|Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”<ref>{{bibleverse||Matthew|24:1-2|ESV}}.</ref>}} This prophesy was fulfilled with the destruction of the Herodian temple by Titus in 70 AD.

After Jesus appeared at Pentecost, believers began to meet at the temple.<ref>Acts 2:46.</ref>

After Jesus appeared at Pentecost, believers began to meet at the temple.<ref>{{bibleverse||Acts|2:46|ESV}}.</ref>

==Prophecy==

==Prophecy==

There are various prophecies that deal with the temple. In a letter to a Christian community in Thessalonica. Paul prophesied that the temple would be rebuilt and presided over by a "man of lawlessness": {{cquote|Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day [the day of the Lord] will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.<ref>2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, ESV.</ref>}}

There are various prophecies that deal with the temple. In a letter to a Christian community in Thessalonica. Paul prophesied that the temple would be rebuilt and presided over by a "man of lawlessness": {{cquote|Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day [the day of the Lord] will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.<ref>{{bibleverse|2|Thessalonians|2:3-4|ESV}}.</ref>}}

Paul wrote this letter in 51-52 AD when the Herodian temple was still standing. The man of lawlessness is identified with the anti-Christ of John's letters.<ref>The term “anti-Christ” is used {{bibleverse|1|John|2:18|ESV}}, {{bibleverse|1|John|2:22|ESV}},{{bibleverse|1|John|4:3|ESV}}, and {{bibleverse|2|John|1:7|ESV}}.</ref> It is a construction parallel to "Son of Man," a phrase applied to Jesus in the gospels. There is a history of identifying this character with various political figures such as a Roman emperor, pope, or Napoleon. The ''[[Geneva Bible]]'', used by the Puritans and by Shakespeare, identifies the anti-Christ with Pope Boniface VIII.<ref>''Geneva Bible'', Notes on Revelation 14:1. Boniface issued ''Unan Sanctum'' in 1302 in which he proclaimed papal supremacy over both the church and secular authority. "It is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman pontiff," it stated.</ref>

Paul wrote this letter in 51-52 AD when the Herodian temple was still standing. The man of lawlessness is identified with the anti-Christ of John's letters.<ref>The term “anti-Christ” is used {{bibleverse|1|John|2:18|ESV}}, {{bibleverse|1|John|2:22|ESV}},{{bibleverse|1|John|4:3|ESV}}, and {{bibleverse|2|John|1:7|ESV}}.</ref> It is a construction parallel to "Son of Man," a phrase applied to Jesus in the gospels. There is a history of identifying this character with various political figures such as a Roman emperor, pope, or Napoleon. The ''[[Geneva Bible]]'', used by the Puritans and by Shakespeare, identifies the anti-Christ with Pope Boniface VIII.<ref>''Geneva Bible'', Notes on Revelation 14:1. Boniface issued ''Unan Sanctum'' in 1302 in which he proclaimed papal supremacy over both the church and secular authority. "It is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman pontiff," it stated.</ref>