Did Jews Really Rob Temples as Paul says in Rom 2:22?

Some claim there’s no biblical proof that Jews could be fairly accused of robbing temples. But is that really the case? There are hints in Scripture that suggest it may have happened — or at least been a real temptation.

For one, Deuteronomy 7:25 gives a strong prohibition against such an act. Why forbid it so firmly if the danger didn’t exist? Then there’s Acts 19:37, where the city clerk in Ephesus calms a crowd by stating that Paul and his companions “have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess.” This shows that temple robbery was a recognized offense — serious enough to be publicly denied.

And finally, if Jews were completely innocent of such a charge, why would Paul bring it up in Romans 2:22? The fact that he mentions it at all suggests the possibility was real enough to confront.

Well, it shouldn’t surprise us given that even today we have leaders who are caught doing the most surprising of sins, so it is likely that Jews were doing that too.

Reference

 William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, vol. 12–13, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 105.