Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 24:2

"But he answered and said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." — Matthew 24:2 (ASV)

The question of Jesus in this verse anticipates a “yes” answer; of course the disciples see the buildings! Jesus’ forecast of the destruction of the temple complex is unambiguous, cast in OT language (cf. Jeremiah 26:6, 18; Micah 3:12) and repeated variously elsewhere (23:38; 26:61).