Evidence suggest in new testament times the temple stood

Yes, there is evidence to suggest that the Temple in Jerusalem stood during the time of the New Testament. Here are some of the key points:

  1. The Gospels: The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all describe Jesus' ministry and teachings, which took place in the context of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Gospels mention Jesus' visits to the Temple, including his cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-46) and his teachings there (Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:35-40, Luke 20:1-26).
  2. The Acts of the Apostles: The Acts of the Apostles, which describes the early Christian church, also mentions the Temple. For example, Acts 2:46-47 describes the early Christians gathering in the Temple to worship and pray, and Acts 3:1-10 describes Peter and John healing a lame man at the Temple gate.
  3. Archaeological evidence: Excavations at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem have uncovered evidence of the Second Temple, which was built during the reign of Herod the Great (37-4 BCE) and destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The archaeological evidence includes the remains of the Temple's foundation, the pavement of the Temple courtyard, and the remains of the Temple's walls.
  4. Jewish sources: Jewish sources, such as the Talmud and the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus, also confirm that the Temple stood during the time of the New Testament. For example, the Talmud describes the Temple's architecture and rituals, and Josephus writes about the Temple's destruction by the Romans.
  5. Coinage: Coins minted during the time of the New Testament feature images of the Temple, which suggests that it was still standing during that period.
  6. The writings of Paul: The apostle Paul, who wrote several letters to early Christian communities, mentions the Temple in his writings. For example, in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, Paul writes about the collection of money for the poor in Jerusalem, which was taken to the Temple.

In conclusion, while there is no direct evidence that the Temple stood during the time of the New Testament, the cumulative evidence from the Gospels, Acts, archaeological findings, Jewish sources, coinage, and the writings of Paul all suggest that the Temple was still standing during that period.