On or around this day 1938 years ago, 4 August in the year 70 AD, the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, about 40 years after the event had been predicted by Jesus (as recorded in Mark chapter 3): “Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” The Roman army, led by Titus, beseiged and conquered the city of Jerusalem, completely destroying the city.
Titus surrounded the city with three legions, then allowed people to enter the city to celebrate the Passover, but refused to allow them to exit, thereby putting pressure on the city’s food and water supplies. The famous historian Jospehus was sent in by Titus to negotiate with the defenders, but the negotiations were ultimately unsuccessful. After fierce fighting, the Romans managed to capture the Antonia Fortress, which was just north of the Temple Mount.
From the Antonia Fortress, the Romans attacked the Temple itself, and a burning stick thrown by a soldier set fire to the Temple walls. Soon the Temple was destroyed, and after several more days the city was completely under Roman control. According to Josephus, 1.1 million people were killed during the siege. Titus is reported to have refused to accept a victory crown because he said that “it was not himself that had accomplished this exploit, but that he had merely lent his arms to God, who had so manifested his wrath.”