When the procession reached the brow of the hill, and was about to descend into the city, Jesus halted, and all the multitude with Him. Before them lay Jerusalem in its glory, now bathed in the light of the declining sun. The temple attracted all eyes. In stately grandeur it towered above all else, seeming to point toward heaven as if directing the people to the only true and living God. The temple had long been the pride and glory of the Jewish nation. The Romans also prided themselves in its magnificence. A king appointed by the Romans had united with the Jews to rebuild and embellish it, and the emperor of Rome had enriched it with his gifts. Its strength, richness, and magnificence had made it one of the wonders of the world.

Da toget nåede til bjergskråningen og skulle til at stige nedad mod byen, standsede Jesus, og hele skaren sammen med ham. Foran dem lå Jerusalem i al sin herlighed, i dette øjeblik badet i strålerne fra den nedgående sol. Templet drog alles blikke til sig. I fornem storhed ragede det op over alt andet og syntes at pege op mod himmelen, som om det ville vise folket hen til den eneste sande og levende Gud. Templet havde længe været jødefolkets stolthed og ære. Også romerne var stolte af dets pragt. En konge, der var udnævnt af romerne, havde forenet sig med jøderne om at genopbygge og forskønne det, og den romerske kejser havde givet rige gaver til det. Dets kraft, rigdom og pragt havde gjort det til et af verdens underværker.