John 2:13-17
John wrote the gospel bearing his name years after Matthew, Mark and Luke penned the first three gospels. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record that Jesus cleansed the temple in the week prior to the crucifixion. It is apparent that the cleansing of the temple of which John wrote took place much earlier in Jesus’ ministry. Both this cleansing and the cleansing just prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection occurred during the passover observance. John’s account of the cleansing occurred in the first year of Jesus’ ministry.
Verse 14 states that Jesus found sellers of oxen, sheep, and doves, and money changers in the temple. All four gospels report this finding. The oxen, sheep and doves were there to be purchased and then to be sacrificed. Individuals could bring animals of their own or purchase animals that might be available elsewhere in Jerusalem. The advantage of purchasing an animal at the temple was that it was pre-approved for sacrifice. The disadvantage was paying a premium price.
It could be argued that, by allowing sellers and money changers, the overseers of the temple made it easier for men to satisfy the requirements of the law of Moses. Convenience of men hardly works to satisfy the purpose for which animal sacrifice was given. Animal sacrifice was instituted by God to provide men a temporary covering for their sins (Gen. 3:21). Animal sacrifices were commanded by God so that one could experience forgiveness of sin. When offered in faith, the sacrifice served as a temporary reprieve for sin. To truly satisfy the law of Moses, an offering must be given in faith. Minimal faith is required in coming to the temple and forking over a payment of convenience.
Jesus reacted to the presence of the sellers and money changers by fashioning a scourge from small cords. Scourges have two uses: punishment and purification. The scourges used for punishment were constructed of heavy lashes to which pieces of bone or metal were attached. The scourge which Jesus manufactured was for the sole purpose of purification —to drive away evil. Jesus drove out the sellers of oxen and sheep, the money changers, and commanded the sellers of doves to move their operation elsewhere.
As stated previously, this happening occurred early in Jesus ministry. The time is set by Jesus’ going down to Capernaum (v. 12). The gospel of Matthew states that Jesus departed from Nazareth to go to Galilee (Capernaum) when He learned that John the Baptist had been imprisoned (Matt. 4:12-13). John 2:12 states that Jesus remained in Capernaum for a short time. The disciples had not witnessed many of Jesus’ miracles when they heard Him say, “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” Jesus made it known to all who had the ears to hear that He was the promised Son of God.
The Lord’s actions and words echoed in the minds and ears of the disciples, causing them to recall Psalm 69:9. The 9th verse of Psalm 69 reads: “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” The zeal of the religious establishment to satisfy the sacrificial need prescribed by the law was cause for them to polute the temple with money changers and sellers of sheep and oxen. The zeal God’s house was to satisfy the law of Moses through works. The zeal of the religious leaders was cause for Christ to be eaten up. New Testament believers see the Father through the Son. The displeasure of the Son is the displeasure of the Father. The Father counts the works of men to be as filthy rags (Isa. 64:6). The law of Moses is not satisfied by works. The law is satisfied by faith which produces works. God counts faith (belief) for righteousness.
The Jews in charge of temple activities asked Jesus to cite proof that He possessed the authority to do that which He did. The Jews wanted Jesus to provide proof that He had the authority to disrupt business sanctioned by them. Jesus answered: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews thought “this temple” to refer to the physical house of God, the temple where they stood. They thought it incredible that Jesus could do in three days what required men empowered by human government forty-six years to do.
The temple of God which Jesus came to purify was not that which housed the site of animal sacrifice. Jesus came to cleanse the temple in which God desires to reside. The sign that Jesus gave of His authority to cleanse that temple was His resurrection from the dead.
His resurrection is proof of His victory over death and the grave. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:23).
Upon His death and resurrection, the disciples remembered Jesus’ words and believed the scripture and the words which He said. That is not to say that the disciples did not believe the scriptures before His death and resurrection. But upon His death and resurrection, the disciples came to a new knowledge of scripture. They were no longer blind to the New Testament truths which radiate from the books of history, the law and the prophets.
When one believes the resurrection of the living Son, New Testament truth begins to leap from the Old Testament. Believers of today, rejoice in the cleansing power of the seed of woman who was bruised for their sake.
