In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ Jesus Clears The Temple November 30,

2 Jesus at the Passover John 2:13-14 –“The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.” (NASB)

3 The Temple Marketplace Passover was one of three feasts that Jewish males were required to attend in Jerusalem Travelers came from all over the world to participate –Would be quite difficult to bring a perfect sacrifice all the way from home Sacrificial animals were sold in the Temple area for the convenience of the travelers – at a nice profit, of course

4 Moneychangers Those attending the Feast were also required to pay the Temple tax Priests required payment in an “approved” currency Some have thought the restriction was against currencies that had pagan gods or rulers represented on them –However, the restriction seems to have been to currencies of known quality and value Again, the transactions were done at a handsome exchange rate

5 Where Were They Located? Is it unlikely that the vendors and moneychangers were actually in the Temple –Animals loose in the Temple proper would be a really bad thing –Even a priest with the hardest of hearts would go to great lengths to protect the sacred things Instead, they were likely set up in the Court of the Gentiles

6 Herod’s Temple Court of the GentilesHoly Place Court of Women Most Holy Place Court of Israel Court of Priests

7 Jesus Clears The Temple John 2:15-16 –“And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, ‘Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.’” (NASB)

8 The Real Problem “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” –Jesus does not seem as disturbed by what they are doing as He is about where they are doing it –But He acts as one with Messianic authority John 2:17 –“His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house will consume me.’” –From Psalm 69:9, which contains several Messianic references

9 Destroy This Temple John 2:18-22 –“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.” (NASB)

10 Herod’s Temple Project Herod rebuilt the Temple for at least two reasons: –To satisfy his lust for magnificent building projects –To gain favor with the Jews, who were not overly fond of him Josephus says that the project began in the 18 th year of Herod’s reign –Would equate to 20-19BC If the 46 years stated are accurate, this event took place in 27-28AD

11 The Questions of the Jews Note that they don’t seem to question why Jesus did what He did –No dispute of His actions Instead they ask for a “sign” to show by what authority He was doing it –Was this really the Messiah? –Messiah would certainly have authority Jesus never gave a sign when one was demanded –Yet He tells them of a sign to come

12 Destroy This Temple … Verse 19 –“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” –This is part of the charge brought later against Jesus Matthew 26:59 –“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, ‘This man stated, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.”’”

13 The Ultimate Irony Alternate readings –“If you destroy … I will raise up.” –“You will destroy …” The Jews ultimately brought about the sign that they were seeking –They destroyed the Man Jesus, offering the only sacrifice that could atone for man’s sin –Jesus not only was the Perfect Sacrifice, but also raised up the permanent Temple To put Jesus to death brought about the end of the Temple and its system of sacrifices which was so dear to them

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