Page 27 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

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sanctuary of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said
this. And they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made.

The Jews who confronted Jesus were probably members of the Temple police force (7:32, 45 – 46; 18:3, 12, 18,
22; 19:6) representatives from the Sanhedrin, or both. Arriving to investigate the commotion in the Temple
Court, they demanded of Him, “What sign do You show us as Your authority for doing these things?" Their
question was not a request for information, but a challenge to His authority. Jesus had taken it upon Himself to
disregard their dominion and regulate the Temple activities, and they wanted a miraculous sign as proof of His
authority for doing so. The Jewish leaders repeatedly asked for such signs, yet they never accepted the ones
they were given. As John later wrote, "But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were
not believing in Him" (John 12:37). The fact that the Temple authorities demanded a sign also exposed the
wickedness of their hearts.

Jesus’ Perception of Reality
2:23 – 25
23 While He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many trusted in His name when they saw the signs He
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was doing. Jesus, however, would not entrust Himself to them, since He knew them all and because He did
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not need anyone to testify about man; for He Himself knew what was in man.
Jesus remained in Jerusalem for Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread that immediately follow. During
that time, he performed a number of miracles that are not specifically recorded in Scripture. As a result, many
believed in his name, observing His signs which He was doing. They thought He might be a prophet, or even the
conquering Messiah they were expecting.

But the Scriptures seem to indicate that their faith was shallow, superficial, and disingenuous. It was not true
saving faith, as John's play on words indicates. Believe in verse 23 and entrusting in verse 24 both come from the
same Greek verb. Though they believe in Jesus, Jesus did not believe in them; he had no faith in their faith.

Application of John 2:1 – 25

As I said in the introduction explaining the text is only half of your job. As Bible preachers /
teachers you must make life application. As I look at this passage of Scripture, I believe that a
life application can be made. That is...

Keeping Your Temple Clean

John tells us the story of Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem to establish three primary truths:

1. He calls priest to steward the Temple and to help people approach him as he has commanded.
2. God's word is the only authority recognized in the Temple, not the high priest or any other designated
position. Anyone acting contrary to his word has no authority.
3. God's Son came to claim ownership of the Temple, and the religious authorities rejected Him. This point
is repeated often in John's narrative and ultimately leads to the final rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

This incident also illustrates a practical truth for believers. God's temple is sacred ground, a dedicated place of
meeting between the Lord and his people. In the Old Testament, the Lord used a physical structure for that

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