Temple Cleansing

John 2:13-22

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Notes

It was almost Passover, and many pilgrims would be arriving in Jerusalem. They would need some animals to sacrifice. Therefore, it would be very convenient if vendors were near the temple. The vendors would not disappoint the pilgrims, but there was a problem; they were not near the temple facility but much closer. The temple was the center of Jewish worship, thought, and discussion. It was supposed to symbolize community, worship, culture, and interaction. But the vendors occupied spaces that they should not have. Yet the mistake was not solely theirs; the priests who managed the temple were also responsible.

1. Passover

   The Lord Jesus found vendors of oxen, sheep, and pigeons in the temple, money changers as well. The Jews celebrate the Passover every year to remember God’s mercy in their liberation from slavery.
   
   13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. (John 2:13-14).
   
   

2. Zeal for the house

   Jesus made a whip to drive out the animals, vendors included; He also overturned the money-changer's tables. Then the Lord passionately ordered them not to make His Father’s house a house of trade. The disciples made a connection between His actions to the Scriptures.
   
   15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:15-17).
   
   

3. In three days

   The Jews wanted Jesus to authenticate His actions. Thus, the Jews asked for a sign. The Lord replied that when the temple would be destroyed, He would rebuild it in three days. The Jews did not believe because they misunderstood.
   
   18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken (John 2:18-22)
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Remember the Passover

   The Passover was a shadow of things to come; it reflected the coming Judgement and God’s mercy through Christ. But instead of the blood of a lamb, today, we trust in the blood of Christ. The blood of Christ represents His sacrifice.

2. Worship through Christ

   Places of worship were essential in Jewish culture and tradition. However, since the Messiah came, the WHO became more important than the WHERE. Therefore, we worship the Father in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
   

3. Proclaim the resurrection

   The Jews asked for a sign, and Christ gave them one; His suffering, death, and resurrection. Not all of them understood, but some did after His resurrection. We believe in their witness, and we pass forward the message.
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was the state of the temple?

2. What did Jesus do, and what did He say? Explain His statement.

3. What sign did Jesus give the enquirers? How did the disciples remember?