Practical comparison of the 4 accounts (2 separate events).
Disclaimer: There is some scholarly debate about whether or not the descriptions of Jesus clearing out the temple were actually 2 separate events. I encourage you to research these passages yourself, but based on my reading and understanding of the scripture, the events described in John appear to have happened early in Jesus’ ministry (recently after wedding at Cana) while the events in Matthew, Mark, and Luke happened late in Jesus’ ministry (after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem).
- This is a good example of how if it wasn’t studied closely, could be understood as a contradiction in the Bible.
- There is NOTHING in these passages that contradicts itself.
- Although these appear to be 2 separate events, the message that we take from them is the same. Jesus cares deeply about the house of the Lord and wants our worship to be in the proper place.
John 2:13-22: “13 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.” 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.”
- This particular recounting of the events happened near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
- Notice the “softer” language that he uses when Jesus describes the temple “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” (As compared to a den of robbers in Matthew, Mark, and Luke).
- Although his language is soft, his actions speak VERY loudly (flipping tables, scattering the money, driving out people and animals).
- We also see Jesus foretelling his own death and resurrection in this passage. Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach the Jews present and his own disciples.
Mark 11:15-19: “15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. 19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.”
- This particular occurrence of Jesus clearing out the temple (consistent in Matthew, Mark, and Luke) happened near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, right after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
- We see consistency between the various accounts that Jesus went into the temple, drove out the sellers and quoted Old Testament scripture.
- Additional details described are how Jesus began teaching in the temple and how the religious leaders began plotting how they would kill Jesus. It can be assumed that they used Jesus’ actions in clearing out the temple as justification for killing him.
- Where it describes Jesus as teaching after clearing out the temple, I think that is an important aspect to hold onto. Jesus didn’t just drive everyone out and then leave the temple in a state of chaos, he remained there and taught the people about the kingdom of God.
One of the first and last things that Jesus did in His ministry was to clear out the temple
- One potential theological argument that supports there being 2 separate instances where Jesus cleared the temple is that Jesus was following the law for cleansing a leprous house.
- Jesus also uses stronger language in Matthew, Mark, and Luke calling the temple a “den of robbers” rather than just a “market” in John.
- Leviticus 14:33-53 - Outlines specific instructions for dealing with a leprous house (cleansing a house from a defiling mold). Mold was incredibly dangerous in those days and could easily cause disease and be harmful to people (as it still is today!).
Matthew 24:1-2 - “1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” He asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Jesus’ prophecy that the temple would be destroyed.
- This should be a reminder to us that God no longer dwells in a physical temple.
- We have the ability to have a relationship with God and to commune with him daily because of what Jesus did on the cross.
Jesus’ love of His Father’s house (or dwelling place)
- Righteous anger: Jesus was angry at the religious leaders who allowed (and most likely even participated in) such disgraceful behavior in the Lord’s temple.
- This is not justification for our own self-righteous anger, but it serves as an example of something that Jesus cares deeply about. Additionally, it is an example of what righteous anger looks like.
- Jesus cares deeply for the dwelling place of God:
- Whether it is the temple where God dwelled or our own bodies which house the Holy Spirit, Jesus cares deeply for the dwelling place of God!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Worship of God deserves our full attention and devotion
Psalm 63:1 “1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”
There are many things that can distract us from God and “steal” away our worship of Him:
- Money
- Idolization of people (political figures, celebrities, etc.)
- Job
- Comfort
- Simple/“small” things (video games, TV shows, anything where you are prioritizing something over God)
Love of money can distract us from God:
- Money changers in the temple were literally stealing from and taking advantage of people who were simply trying to worship God.
- Sacrificial animals were sold at high prices
- International currencies were exchanged at unfair rates
- The Jewish religious leaders were allowing this type of behavior to take place in the temple.
- An entire culture had been created where the central focus was on money instead of God.
I pray that here at Living Faith that our leaders are able to keep the focus where it belongs: on Jesus.
What else today might be distracting you from God? What else might be stealing away your worship and adoration?
