“... Mark mentioned twice a grave accusation that Jesus threatened to destroy the Temple. During Jesus’ “trial” before the high priest and his sunedrion, Jesus was accused of saying “I will destroy this Temple (ton naon, namely, the hiekahl and not the whole complex of the Temple courts) that is made with hands, and in three days I build another, not made with hands” (Mark 14:58). This is an extremely odd saying. However, Mark presented it as an accusation made by false witnesses (Mark 14:47, 59). However, it appears again in Mark’s narrative when certain Jews mocked the crucified Jesus: “Aha! You who would destroy the Temple and build it in three days; save yourself and come down from the cross!” (Mark 15:29–30). Jesus’ intention to destroy the Temple is also mentioned in the accusation against Stephen, again, made by false witnesses (Acts 6:14). Most surprisingly, it appears in the Gospel of Thomas, as well, when Jesus blatantly declared: “I will [destroy this] house, and no one will be able to build it [again].” It is impossible to know whether Jesus actually said that he would destroy the Temple and added that he would rebuild a Temple “not made with hands.” On the one hand, there are multiple attestations to this extremely exceptional and provocative saying (Acts, Thomas and twice in Mark). The uniqueness of the saying also supports its originality. ...”