Greek] καταλύω (kataluō), [Latin] solvere, [Latin] destruere, [Latin] dissolvere, [Latin] devertere, [French] detacher, [French] acquitter, [French] demolir, [French] denouer, [French] detourner

Greek] καταλύω (kataluō), [Latin] solvere, [Latin] destruere, [Latin] dissolvere, [Latin] devertere, [French] detacher, [French] acquitter, [French] demolir, [French] denouer, [French] detourner: to destroy, to overthrow, to lodge, to dissolve, to tear down; 16 scripture references

Background information

Greek Hellenism: This term means to put down, to destroy, to dissolve, to dismiss, to abolish, to render useless, to neglect, to bring to an end, and to lodge.

Euripides’ The Trojan Women 1080: “It is this that fills me with anxious thought whether you care at all that my city is destroyed.”

Herodotus’ The Histories 1.104: “The Medes met the Scythians, who defeated them in battle, deprived them of their rule, and made themselves masters of all Asia.”

Demosthenes’ On The Crown 18.82: “For the ambassador who came here from Cleitarchus and Phillistides lodged at your house and you entertained him.”

Old Testament: This term means to invade, to lodge, to abide, to tear down, and to destroy.

New Testament: This term means to disintegrate, to abolish, to throw down, to destroy, and to lodge.

Mt. 5:17: “Do not think that I [Jesus] have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but but to fulfill.” (Jesus states that the New Covenant surpasses the law.)

1. The Law refers to the first five books of the Old Testament, which  contain the commandments given to Moses.
2. The Prophets encompass the writings of the prophets which conveyed God’s message to Israel.
3. Jesus indicates this commitment to the Law and the Prophets.
4. Jesus indicates that His life and ministry are the culmination of what the Law and the Prophets anticipated.
5. This fulfillment illustrates a deeper realization of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

Mt.24:2: “You see all these things, do you not? Amen, amen, I say to you, there will not be left here a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

1. Jesus is prophesying the destruction of the Temple. Jesus draws attention to the physical grandeur of the temple.
2. Jesus underscores the importance of listening to His words.
3. When Jesus begins the phrase, “Amen, I say to you”, He will begin to make a very important statement.
4. Jesus’ prophesy foretells the complete destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple
5. Jesus warns against placing trust in physical structures and temporary earthly things.
6. The complete destruction oft he temple signifies the end of the old covenant system on temple worship and sacrifices. This foreshadows a new covenant relationship through Jesus.
7. Interestingly, historical and archaeological evidence indicates that Jesus actually spent more time as a stone cutter rather than a carpenter. Jesus stacked, carved, and chiseled stone.

Lk.19:7: “When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, ‘He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner [Zacchaeus].'” (Grumbling reflects a common response to Jesus associating with sinners. Jesus demonstrates His mission to seek and save the lost. Jesus’ willingness to associate with Zacchaeus challenged the prevailing religious attitudes. Salvation becomes present as resulto of Zacchaeus’ repentance.)

2Cor.5:1: “For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.” (The earthly tent refers to our human bodies, drawing upon the temporary nature of a tent. This building from God signifies our glorified body promised to believers. Unlike earthly homes, this is an eternal house in heaven.)

Gal.2:18: “But if I am building up again those things that I tore down, then I show myself to be a transgressor.” (Rebuilding symbolizes returning to the legalist practices of the Mosaic Law, which have already been fulfilled and set aside through