1. It took forty-six years to build this temple
When Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," someone in the temple responded,
"It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?"
At first glance, this statement seems fine, but it actually presents a slight problem because it contradicts Luke 3:1-2 (WEB):
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness
The third temple, known as Herod's Temple, began construction around 20 BCE (or 19 BCE), during the 18th year of Herod's reign. Forty-six years after that would be around 26 or 27 CE. However, the fifteenth year of Tiberius's reign was 28 CE, which creates a slight discrepancy.
Of course, if the statement "forty-six years" meant that the construction had been ongoing for forty-six years and this was the forty-seventh year, then the conversation could take place in 28 CE without any issues. But since the novel is set in 30 CE, I had to make some adjustments. Therefore, I established that the temple construction stalled after Pilate's appointment, and people who didn't know the exact facts might mistakenly believe it was completed in forty-six years.
This is not based on historical evidence but is a setting within the novel. As I always say, you don't have to believe everything in the novel. I take the trouble to clarify these points because I want you to be cautious not only of my words but also of other interpretations that might mislead you. While it would be easier to proceed without these explanations, I fear that without them, I might instill incorrect fixed ideas in you, which could lead to further problems later.
Most information about the past is already well-known. Whether to believe in the Bible or not is an individual choice, given the same information. Through this process of correction, I want to emphasize the importance of personal interpretation. I sincerely hope that you will not be swayed by strange interpretations circulating in the world but instead seek answers to your questions by exploring the Bible and other resources, leading you to choose to believe in God based on your own understanding.
