Understanding Scripture

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the fact that the Jewish people misunderstood what Jesus was saying,

John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.


"Men often run into gross mistakes by understanding that literally which the scripture speaks figuratively. What abundance of mischief has been done by interpreting, This is my body, after a corporal and carnal manner! Had they known that this was he who built all things in six days they would not have made it such an absurdity that he should build a temple in three days."