This allegation was also mentioned during Jesus’ trial (Mark 14:58). We do not find Jesus saying these words in Mark’s Gospel but they are recorded by John (John 2:13–25). In Mark’s Gospel, there is one incident in Mark 11:17 where Jesus alludes to Jeremiah 7:11, which appears in a context that threatens the destruction of the temple. He also told a parable in the hearing of the chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders about wicked tenants who would be destroyed (Mark 12:1–12). In that parable, he quoted from Psalm 118:22–23. Finally, in his private conversation with his disciples, he expressly prophesied that the temple will be destroyed (Mark 13:1–2).
Jesus’ death does in effect destroy the temple made with hands and becomes the foundation for a new one not made with hands.1
29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,