John – Chapter 2:12-22
Introduction—The cleansing of the Temple in John is the first public act of Jesus. It is also the first visit to Jerusalem, the first Passover, and the first confrontation with “the Jews.” The reference to “the Passover” (2:13, 23) are not mere indications of time. Jesus’ clearing of the temple is of a piece with the final Passover of Jesus’ death. Clearing the Temple of the sacrificial animals is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (1:29, 36). The place of the Lamb becomes the place of the sacrifice, the new temple in the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22; Jn 2:21). The Lamb as the Lamb takes His place on the throne of God and shares in the heavenly rule of God (Rev. 5:6-7; Jn 3:14-21, 31-36; 19:2-3, 14-22). Textual Comparison—This cleansing is recorded in all four Gospels (c.f. Mt. 21:12-13; Mk 11:15-17; Lk 19:45-46). John’s account is significantly different, being longer, uniquely mentioning sheep and oxen, the whip, with distinct words for the money changers, the scattering of the coins, and the presence of the disciples. Matthew and Mark alone have the overthrow of the seats and Mark alone that Jesus was not carrying a vessel. But in John, Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 and alludes to other texts (e.g. Ps 69:9). Only John is a direct confrontation with “the Jews.” Only in John’s Gospel is the accusation regarding destroying the Temple and raising it up referring to His body put in the context of the cleansing. Only in John is this event located at the beginning of His ministry, rather than at the end. As to this last point, there is much debate as to whether this is the same or second cleansing or John reordering the historic narrative to fit his thematic purpose. It is thematic but it also need not be historic. Again, we have the reversal of status between John the Baptist and Jesus. Like John, Jesus in this Gospel is preaching judgment and is the prophet of judgment. See Malachi 3:1-4. “Suddenly… he will come into His temple.” Jesus Clears the Temple (2:14-22)—Jesus is not targeting the abuses only. His violent and total action shows that He is not envisioning a restored, purified, and refurbished temple, but a totally other kind, namely, that of His own body (2:21). The temple shekel is linked to…