John 2:13-22
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[c]
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Footnotes
- John 2:4 The Greek for Woman does not denote any disrespect.
- John 2:6 Or from about 75 to about 115 liters
- John 2:17 Psalm 69:9
Making a Whip
I was looking at Blue better Bible today, and they pointed out Jesus makes a whip (v15) and the implication that it takes time.
Let's think about that.
I've always imagined Jesus sees what He sees, gets angry, and gets down to business. But making a whip implies He didn’t react right away. He took time.
- How long does it even take to make a whip?
- Did He have to leave and find materials and come back? And if so, was it the same day or a different day?
- Did He demand the belts off the closest people to Him?
- Did He use cords that tethered animals in place?
- How long was this thing?
- How many cords did He use to make the whip?
- How long did it take for Him to make it?
- Did He have to take breaks?
- Was He interrupted?
The point being, of course, is that the process did take time. He didn't just explode in an angry outburst.
How many times have we responded to a situation without taking time out to process it?
Chances are we are going to get angry with someone or something this week, but let’s be like Jesus:
1.) see the situation
2.) process it from a distance
3.) take Godly, Biblical action
Pop Quiz!
- Why is Jesus at the Temple?
- Why are there money changers?
- Why are people selling livestock at the temple?
- What is significant about each type of livestock? (Oxen, sheep, pigeons/doves)
- Why is it significant Jesus only speaks to the people selling pigeons? Why didn't He just speak to them all?
- Why does Jesus claim He's going to tear down and rebuild the Temple after chasing out the animals? (Hint: You have to answer question 3 first.)
These questions are for a greater purpose. We would know the answers to these questions if we knew the Bible as one big picture from the Old Testament. Jesus' disciples do (v. 17). They remember the Scripture and can point to Jesus. They find Him in the Old Testament. Answering the questions above will also place Jesus in the Old Testament.
Can I just say, do not let anyone try to convince you the Old Testament isn't important anymore? We need the Old Testament to give us more understanding of God's plan and character! Most importantly, WE NEED TO READ THE BIBLE. It is so important to hide God's Word in our hearts. And hide all of it. If we do not understand what we read now, it may be made clear to us in another passage. So, we can't use the excuse to not read our Bibles for lack of understanding, because it doesn't matter. We will at least be able to remember something from what we read and will receive clarification when we're ready. We don't need to understand it the first time through.
For example, if we read and don't understand *ahem* Leviticus now but we read it anyway, we will still have picked up some basic building blocks for the story of Jesus. His own disciples know the Old Testament inside and out, but we see in v, 17 that they discover what one of the Scriptures is all about. The meaning of Scripture takes a while to be revealed to them as well! And they're the "pros"! So go on, read the Word today. Read it with eyes. Read it with ears. Just, please, read the Word. Somehow. Today. You won't regret it.
Answers
Did you figure out the answers to my quiz questions yet? At first glance and surface-level, we see Jesus chasing out the sacrificial animals and money changers because they're turning God’s Temple into a literal flea market. Of course, Jesus would be upset about that and want to chase it out.
Let's peel back some layers, though, and see what else we can see.
Passover is soon, right? In Exodus 12, we find the instructions for the very first Passover that is to be carried out every year. Every year, Jews are expected to make this sacrifice to remember that the blood of a lamb saved their lives. So, what is Jesus doing here at the Temple? He's chasing out all the sacrificial animals! They aren't supposed to be in there, of course, but also, I feel like it symbolizes the fact that they don't need to be in there! Jesus is the sacrificial lamb. He is the final sacrifice—the final Passover.
Let's not forget that Jews were also instructed to rid their homes of leaven for the Feast of Unleavened Bread at the same time as Passover (also Exodus 12). What was the point of chasing out the vendors? Jesus was chasing out sin. So, I think Jesus is making a statement in this story about being the final Passover Lamb and reminding us we can't be full of leaven (sin) if we want to be in God's Presence (the Temple).
Then, remember how Jesus makes that statement about how He is the Temple? God is here in our presence because of that fact.
Quick review: Jesus is the final Passover Lamb. Jesus is sinless and removes sin so we can be in God's Presence.
I don't think it's coincidental that this story takes place so soon to these festival dates.
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