Matthew 26:61

“And said, this fellow said, etc.] Or saith, as De Dieu observes, the Syriac version of this place should be rendered; that is, he has not only said in times past, referring to (<430219>John 2:19), but continues to say it, and glory in it: I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days; in which they did injury, both to his words and sense: he did not say, “I am able to destroy the temple”, but only said, “destroy this temple”; signifying neither his power, nor his will and inclination to it; but put it upon the Jews, and left it to them to do it: nor did he say one word about the temple of God, or as it is in (<411458>Mark 14:58), “this temple that is made with hands”;…”

“And said, This fellow said ... - Mark has recorded this testimony differently. According to him, they said, “We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another. made without hands.” Probably both forms of giving in the testimony were used on the trial, and Matthew has recorded it as it was given at one time and Mark at another, so that there is no contradiction. Mark adds, “But neither so did their witnesses agree together.” That which they “attempted” to accuse him of is what he had said respecting his body and their destroying it, John 2:19; “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” This he spoke of his body;…”

“26:61 The charge is either a misunderstanding or a deliberate distortion of Jesus’ prediction of his death and resurrection (see John 2:19-21).”

“This: Mat 26:71, Mat 12:24; Gen 19:9; Kg1 22:27; Kg2 9:11; Psa 22:6, Psa 22:7; Isa 49:7, Isa 53:3; Luk 23:2; Joh 9:29; Act 17:18, Act 18:13, Act 22:22 I am: The words of our Lord were widely different from this statement of them; so that the testimony of these witnesses was false, though it had the semblance of truth. Mat 27:40; Jer 26:8-11, Jer 26:16-19; Mar 15:29; Joh 2:19-21; Act 6:13 Matthew 26:62”