But Israel as a nation had divorced herself from God. The natural branches of the olive tree were broken off. Looking for the last time upon the interior of the temple, Jesus said with mournful pathos, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Hitherto He had called the temple His Father's house; but now, as the Son of God should pass out from those walls, God's presence would be withdrawn forever from the temple built to His glory. Henceforth its ceremonies would be meaningless, its services a mockery.

Men som et folk havde Israel skilt sig ud fra Gud. De naturlige grene på oliventræet var brudt af. Medens Jesus for sidste gang kastede et bedrøvet blik på templets indre, sagde han sorgfuldt: "Se, jeres hus bliver forladt og overladt til jer selv! Thi jeg siger jer: Fra nu af skal I ikke se mig, før den lid kommer, da I siger: Velsignet være den, der kommer, i Herrens navn" Hidtil havde han kaldt templet for sin Faders hus; men nu, hvor Guds Søn skulle gå ud fra disse mure, ville Guds nærværelse for stedse blive unddraget det tempel, der var bygget til hans ære. Fra nu af ville dets ceremonier blive meningsløse og dets tjeneste en parodi.