What Was Jesus Speaking of in matthew 24:2?

Matthew 24:2 There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Herod's temple took forty-six years to build (John 2:20) and covered somewhere between thirty and thirty-five acres. Many of the white marble stones in this temple were enormous and plated with gold in between. The sun shining on this temple had a blinding, dazzling effect. When the disciples marveled at Herold's temple (Matthew 24:1), Jesus uttered a prophecy in verse 2. 
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Matthew's Gospel (written to the Jews) uses terms more familiar to the Hebrews. He called it "the abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15). Luke's Gospel (written to Gentiles), gives more understanding. "When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh" (Luke 21:20). 

This prophecy was fulfilled when Prince Titus and the Roman army surrounded Jerusalem (A.D. 70). When the siege was complete, they laid that structure level with the ground. They wanted the gold between the marble stones. Therefore, not one stone was left on another, just as Jesus said. The famous Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, verified it happened just as Jesus prophesied.

Earl R. Borders

From the April 2025 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter