{Destroy this temple} (lusate ton naon touton). First
aorist active imperative of lu(935c), to loosen or destroy. It is
the permissive imperative, not a command to do it. Note also

aos, not hieron, the sanctuary, symbol of God's 
aos, in
our hearts ( 1Co 3:16f. ). There is much confusion about this
language since Jesus added: "And in three days I will raise it
up" (kai en trisin h(886d)erais eger(9320)auton). Those who heard
Jesus, including the disciples till after the resurrection (verse
 22 ), understood the reference to be to Herod's temple.
Certainly that is the obvious way to take it. But Jesus often
spoke in parables and even in enigmas. He may have spoken of the
literal temple as a parable for his own body which of course they
would not understand, least of all the resurrection in three
days.