Places & biblical world
Temple
The sanctuary building and surrounding grounds in Jerusalem where Israel worshiped God and offered sacrifices.
Also called · sanctuary
What it means
Solomon’s first temple was burned by the Babylonian army. People returning from captivity rebuilt it. This Second Temple later underwent Herod’s rebuilding and expansion.
Temple can refer to the whole precinct, including the courts, or to the sanctuary building. The Gospels describe Jesus acting there, and Acts describes the early believers gathering there.
How it appears in the Bible
First Kings 6 describes Solomon’s construction, and Ezra 6 records the completion and dedication of the rebuilt temple. In John 2, Jesus drives out the merchants and money changers.
Translation note
Temple does not always mean a building. John 2:21 explains that the temple Jesus spoke about was his own body.