Page 118 - Advanced Life of Christ - Student Textbook

included doves, sheep, goats, rams, bulls, or cattle. The people brought Roman money with them, but
that money was not acceptable for exchange in the temple complex. Instead, the money had to be
exchanged for “temple money” and then used to purchase animals. The Sadducees were profiting in the
money exchange, and then charged much elevated fees for the animals being sold. They were robbing
the people from both angles.

Jesus justified His attack on the animal dealers and currency exchangers by quoting the prophet Isaiah,
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations...” (Is. 56:7). The commercialization of the
temple took place in the Court of the Gentiles, depriving Gentiles of their only place to worship. Jesus
responded to their profiteering with anger and decisive action.

John traces two temple cleansings, so this one marks the second time Jesus had rebuked the Sadducees.
They did not seem to respond to His first rebuke. Again, this action of Jesus angered the priests and
teachers of the law even more and they intensified their plans to kill Jesus.

It’s now Monday evening and Jesus and His disciples returned to Bethany.

Why did Jesus Cleanse the Temple?

Jesus Silences His Enemies and the "Olivet Discourse" (Matthew 21:20-22 and Mark 11:20-26; Mark
11:27-33, Matthew 21:23-46, Luke 19:47-48, and John 12:20-36; Matthew 24, Mark 13:1-47, and Luke
19:5-38; Matthew 26:1-16, Mark 14:1-11 and Luke 22:1-6)

Jesus and His disciples returned to Jerusalem on Tuesday morning. As the disciples passed by the fig
tree cursed on the previous day, they found that the tree was completely dead. It posed a stark
illustration to the disciples that unless they bore spiritual fruit, not just give an appearance of religiosity,
they too would be dead spiritually. God judges fruitlessness and expects that those who have a
relationship with Him will “bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8).

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