Misuse of the Temple

John 2:13-25

Setting• Jn 2:13-14

• In the Temple at the Passover

• Jews from all over came to Jerusalem for the feast– The yearly temple

tax had to be paid in Jewish coins

– The Passover lamb had to be unblemished, etc

Setting• To be convenient

– Moneychangers set up in the outer court• Change any

currency to correct Jewish coin

– Stalls were set up to sell Passover lambs

– Other stalls set up to sell other sacrificial animals • For burnt offerings

or peace or fellowship offerings

Jesus’ reaction• Jn 2:15

– Some think Jesus was simply a loving , peaceful, soft-spoken man

– But here Jesus made and used a whip• To drive out the money-changers and the

livestock sellers, as well as the livestock

– As He went, He flipped over tables and poured out the money the merchants had

– Simply put, He was angry• Why?

Jesus’ explanation• Jn 2:16

– He told those selling doves to take them away• He did not set them free, he did not destroy their

property– This was the wrong location for such activity– The livestock merchants could still reclaim their

livestock (with some inconvenience)– The moneychangers could still reclaim their

money (by picking it up off the ground)

– His Father’s house was not an emporium• It was a house of worship

– How could anyone worship with all the business going on

Why did they leave?• We are not told directly

– Perhaps intimidated by the whip and His zeal– Perhaps they felt somewhat guilty when their

abuse was pointed out to them– Perhaps they felt Jesus could be a prophet

• This seems to be the opening event in His public ministry

• But Jesus would have been at the Temple three times each year (as He was at age 12)

– So they perhaps knew Him and some of His teachings to some extent

The disciples’ reaction• Jn 2:17

– Remembered Psalm 69:9• A psalm of David

– David was passionate about His love for God and a place to worship God

• If David was passionate, Jesus was consumed with that zeal to a greater extent

– He wasn’t upset for Himself» He was upset about what they had done to the

worship of God

– Jesus had fulfilled the words of David• Yet another reminder that He was the Christ

The Jews’ reaction• Jn 2:18

– Probably the temple authorities (Sadducees) who had allowed the activity• By driving out the merchants, Jesus was

implicitly claiming the right to supersede the temple authorities

– A prophet, for example, would have such right

• They wanted a sign to prove He had authority– Not yet denying the possibility He had the right– But OT prophets (Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, etc)

had done signs that confirmed their position

Jesus’ sign• Jn 2:19-22

– “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”• Jews thought He referred to the building they

were in– It had been under construction for 46 years (and

wasn’t considered completely finished for almost another 30 years)

– If destroyed, how could it be raised in 3 days?

Jesus’ sign– Jesus makes a play on words

• “Destroy” can mean to knockdown or kill• “Raise up” can mean rebuild or awaken or rise

from the dead• Did He promise to rebuild the temple?

– He said in Grk egeiro autos “I will raise myself”» autos meaning “self” as auto- still does as a

prefix in English– The Jews misunderstood

» They even intentionally misquoted Him (Mt 26:59-61, 27:39-40)

» Though they then knew what He actually said and meant (Mt 27:63)

– Even the disciples didn’t understand until after His resurrection, then their faith increased

Lessons• Do we make God’s house an emporium?

– We don’t have a physical temple• But the church (the people) is God’s temple

– Eph 2:19-22

– Some use their church as a business• Stores, coffee-shops, bake sales, yard sales, etc

– Or as a place of “good works” • Homeless shelters, food pantries, disaster relief,

medical clinics, etc– Jesus didn’t say the activity was wrong (it was

needed), but it was not done in the right way or place

– Instead of acting as they ought (1 Tim 3:15)

Lessons• Do we make God’s house an emporium?

– We as individuals are also each a temple of God• 1 Cor 3:16-17, 6:19-20

– Some devote their lives to the pursuit of material gain

– Some spend the time devoted to God actually wishing they could be pursuing material things (Amos 8:4-6)

– Some come to church to network, make business contacts, do fundraisers, etc.

Lessons• How is our zeal for the house of God?

– Jesus saw something was wrong and it consumed Him so He acted

– Do we see something wrong and just turn a blind eye?• When the proper worship of God becomes

instead an entertainment time?

• When the church becomes a business?

• When the church loses sight of its purpose of saving souls?

– Or do we zealously move to correct the problem?

Belief• John 2:23-25

– After the incident at the temple, many believed• Jesus apparently did miracles/signs

– So even though He said His resurrection would be the ultimate and indisputable sign, He did provide more immediate proof as well

• Their faith did not mean they were saved– Jn 1:12, 8:30-31

– But Jesus did not commit Himself to the people• Unwilling to become what they wanted/expected

• He knew what they wanted (just as He knew Nathanael before they met)

– Just as He knows the heart of all men

Conclusion• Are you zealous for God’s house?

– Or do you make it a house of merchandise?

• Will you follow the Lord no matter what the crowd does?– Or will you go along with the flow?

• Do you believe enough in Jesus to commit yourself to obeying all that He taught?– Or do you only believe enough to want Him to

be what you desire?

• Jesus knows your answers to all these questions. Do you?