Page 26 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

The feast of Passover commemorated Israel's deliverance from bondage in Egypt – when the Lord killed, by his
death Angel, the firstborn of the Egyptians but passed over the houses of the Israelites (Exodus 12:23 – 27). It
was celebrated annually on the 14th day of Nisan (March – April). On that day, between 3 and 6 PM, lambs were
slaughtered, and the Passover meal eaten. In obedience to Exodus 24:14 – 17, Jesus went up to Jerusalem to
observe both the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread which immediately followed (Ezekiel 45:21; Luke
22:1; acts 12:3 – 4). This is the first of three Passover's mentioned in John's gospel.

Upon his arrival, Jesus would have found Jerusalem packed with pilgrims from all around the Roman world,
there to celebrate this foremost of Jewish feast. Because of the multitudes who came, Passover meant big
business for Jerusalem – based merchants. In the Temple complex, where they had set up shop (probably in the
court of the Gentiles), vendors were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their
tables. Since it was impractical for those traveling from distant lands to bring their own animals, the merchants
sold the animals required for the sacrifices – and greatly inflated prices. The money changers also provided a
necessary service. Every Jewish male 20 years of age or older had to pay the annual Temple tax (Exodus 30:13 –
14; Matthew 17:24 – 27). But it could be paid only using the Jewish or Tyrain coins (because of the purity of their
silver content). So, foreigners had to exchange their money for acceptable coinage. Because they had a
monopoly on the market, the money changers charge an exorbitant fee for their services. What had begun as a
service to the worshipers had, under the corrupt rule of the chief priests, degenerated into exploitation and
usury. Religion had become external and materialistic; the Temple of God at that, a robbers’ den (Matthew
21:13).

Charles Swindoll says that Jesus’ disciples stood back – probably in stunned silence. With mouths wide open,
they stared astonished as Jesus tossed furniture like toothpicks and slung coins like seeds. The lash of His whip
sent livestock scurrying behind their unclean owners as the Temple owners voice echoed through the courts,
"Take these things away!" And the disciples remembered Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for Your House has consumed me."
The New American Commentary states that John was not simply interested in gaining the reader's attention; he
was concerned to have the reader understand the depth of the struggle in which Jesus was involved.

Later, at the end of His ministry, Christ would again cleanse the Temple (Matthew 21:12 – 16; Mark 11:15 – 18;
Luke 19:45 – 46). Some commentators asserted John is actually referring here to that later cleansing, having
moved the account out of chronological sequence. Instead of correctly putting this story at the end of Jesus’
ministry, they argue, John put it here – thus, Jesus cleansed the Temple only once, not twice. But their
explanations for why John would have misplaced such a significant event are ultimately unconvincing. The
cleansing record in the Synoptic Gospels took place during Passion Week; the one recorded by John came at the
outset of Jesus’ public ministry.

R. C. Sproul commenting on these verses says, “I join many others in church history who believe Jesus cleanses
the temple twice. I asked you, how long was it before those tables were upright once more and the money
changers were back in business? Can we safely assume that when Jesus cleanses the temple on this occasion
that that was the end of the problem? I don't think so. Some cannot conceive of a loving Jesus being angry. But
spineless love is hardly love. Personality is not single – faceted, and any theology that is monofocal and fails to
encompass both love and judgment ultimately end up in heresy.”

Jesus’ Power of Resurrection
2: 18 – 22
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So the Jews replied to Him, “What sign [of authority] will You show us for doing these things?” Jesus
answered, “Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it up in three days.” Therefore the Jews said, “This
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sanctuary took 46 years to build, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking about the
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