The Arch of Titus, showing The Spoils of Jerusalem being brought into Rome
After his teachings in the previous chapter, all set in the Temple courts, Jesus finishes his teaching in the Temple for the day and leaves. On his way out of the Temple, an unnamed disciple remarks how extensive the Temple (Herod's Temple) is.
The buildings might have reached up to 150 feet (45.72 m) in height and they were adorned with gold, silver, and other precious items. In Mark, the scale of the Temple is emphasized in Luke's gospel, the beauty of the stonework is highlighted.
"Do you see all these great buildings?" replies Jesus. The word "all" is added in the Vulgate (omnes), the Ethiopic version and the New International Version.
JERUSALEM DESTROYED -
ROME TAKES TEMPLE GOODS AND PEOPLE TO ROME
Jesus acknowledges their greatness, but predicts that "not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down". This is the last reference made by Jesus to the Temple in Mark's narrative. Jesus seems to anticipate that it will be destroyed, although he does not say when or how.
Later, Jesus travels back to the Mount of Olives. Mark says that Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus privately, as he was sitting opposite the Temple on the mountain, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"
Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs to be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (5-8 KJV)
Jesus predicts that they will be harassed by various governments, that they are to say whatever comes to mind, as it will be God speaking through them, and that Jesus' message will be given to every nation. Families will be torn apart, that "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Jesus then predicts a disastrous event in Judea:
"When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong — let the reader understand — then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now— and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. (14-23 NIV)
The warnings about false Christs are thought by some scholars to be warnings against others claiming to be the messiah or Christian teachers who claimed to actually be the reincarnation of Jesus. Acts of the Apostles 5:36-37 contains a description given by Gamaliel about Theudas and Judas the Galilean, both also mentioned by Josephus, who also claimed to be leaders of new movements.
According to Mark, Jesus made this prediction years before the Temple was actually destroyed in 70. Acts 6:14 states that Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was falsely accused of claiming Jesus would destroy Israel and the Mosaic law before he was stoned to death, an event Acts claims Paul observed. Predictions of Jerusalem's destruction are also found in Micah 3:12.
Scholars who hold that this does refer to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, and is an example of prophecy after the event, use this section to date Mark, and all works believed to have copied from it, slightly before or after the year 70.
In Mark 15:29 Jesus is mocked as having claimed that he would destroy the Temple and raise it again in three days, a statement of Jesus that Mark does not record in the narrative, although he is falsely accused of claiming he would destroy the man made Temple and replace it in three days in 14:57. This gives rise to the interpretation of the Temple's destruction as the death of Jesus' body, the body of God, and his resurrection three days later. That Jesus predicted the Temple's destruction and his rebuilding of it in three days is stated in John 2:19 and is used as evidence against him in Matthew 26:61
WHY IS THE ARCH OF TITUS IMPORTANT - PROVES JESUS' PROPHECY
Since the triumphal parade would have passed through the very spot on which the arch was constructed, these images serve as powerful evocations of collective memories shared and held by the Roman people. The depiction in the reliefs echoes the riotous parade described by Flavius Josephus. The program of Flavian architecture largely transformed the physical landscape of Rome; this program was replete with visual cues and reminders of Flavian success, all of which stemmed from and centered around the great triumph at the culmination of the Jewish War.
Shortly after the death of Roman Emperor Titus in 81 AD his younger brother Domitian, who followed his brother as emperor, began the construction of an arch to honor his sibling along the main street of ancient Rome; the Via Sacra. The Arch of Titus still stands today as one of the greatest examples of ancient Roman Architecture. When visiting Rome today kids and adults alike can still marvel at this huge structure which stands to the south-east of the Roman Forum.
Arch of Titus General Facts
Emperor Domitian built the arch to commemorate the many military victories of Titus which includes the 70 AD siege and conquest of the city of Jerusalem.
Emperor Domitian built the arch to commemorate the many military victories of Titus which includes the 70 AD siege and conquest of the city of Jerusalem.
The famous arch was erected on the main street of ancient Rome, the Via Sacra (Sacred Road). This road was the parade route of victorious Romans and went right through the Roman Forum.
Construction began on the Arch of Titus in 82 AD and continued until 85 AD when an official dedication and ceremony took place.
The Arch of Titus was damaged due to being used as a section of a fortification built in the Middle Ages by the powerful Frangipani family.
This arch is the oldest of the triumphal arches still standing in Rome. It is also the smallest.
This arch served as a model for numerous triumphal arches erected throughout history; including the Arc de Triomphe in Paris France which was completed in 1836.
Arch of Titus Descriptive Facts
The archway is about 50 feet (15 meters) tall, 13.5 feet (5.36 meters) wide, and about 15.5 feet (4.75 meters) deep.
The original main inscription in the frieze of the Arch of Titus still survives today and translates to "The Roman Senate and People (dedicate this) to the divine Titus Vespasianus Augustus, son of the divine Vespasian." It is believed that this inscription was originally ornamented by silver or gold letters.
Lining the walls of the interior of the arch are two marble reliefs that are over 8 feet high each (2.5 meters). One depicts Titus's victory procession and loot that was taken from the Temple of Jerusalem after the city was conquered. The other shows Titus riding a chariot and being crowned by what is interpreted to be the people of Rome and the senate.
The arch was originally built using marble. When the structure was restored in 1821, by the Italian architect Giuseppe Valadier, he used travertine (a form of limestone) to replace missing sections.
A small frieze which depicting a triumphal procession runs all the way around the arch. The Arch of Titus originally had all fluted (grooved) columns; however, during the restoration done in the 1800's unfluted columns were added.
