John 2:13-22 – Bible Study & Exploration
Jesus Clears the Temple Courts
(Verses 13-17) There are two prominent reasons why we see Jesus clearing the temple courts in anger. He witnesses the misuse and abuse of the temple who’s purpose is to be a place of worship. Instead, the religious leaders are not only allowing but approving the use of the temple courts as a market place.
Deception and Corruption In the Temple Courts
While Jesus described the last days as a time of great deception, we know deception was around even when Jesus walked the earth.
Jesus understood fully the demands the Pharisee’s placed on the people in order to participate in the marketplace and temple sacrifice. He also saw how they took advantage of people who came to offer sacrifices. Many of the poor people and foreigners would purchase sacrificial worthy animals from merchants at overinflated prices.
People who came to offer sacrifices in the temple were required to pay a half shekel temple tax. The Pharisee’s would not accept any coins with images of pagan rulers. So many who came to the temple would have to exchange their roman coins for temple coins.
This exchange would take place between those who were zealous for their religion and the temple money changers. The money changers would take advantage of these people by charging exorbitant exchange rates. Thus the money changers were gaining hefty profits.
Often times, gold, silver and other items were exchanged for temple coins. The merchants would rig the scales so they were in favor of the merchants. They cheated the poor and the foreigners with falsely set scales.
“Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.” (Proverbs 20:23)
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” (Proverbs 11:1)
Who Were the Money Changers?
There is no evidence that these money changers were actually Pharisee’s. But it’s likely they had a hand in the profits the merchants falsely acquired. We know this by the fact that they were allowed to work in the temple courts rather than exchange money in other locations in Jerusalem.
There is also evidence of the Pharisee’s misdeeds based on the excruciating reprimand the Pharisee’s received on multiple occasions from Jesus. These scoldings often centered on the Pharisee’s false teachings and taking advantage of the people they purported to teach and lead.
Jesus’ reaction to all of this demonstrates to us that having a righteous anger to sin is acceptable.
Show Us a Sign!
(Verse 18) Throughout the gospel’s we see doubters always asking Jesus for a sign. The sign that they were seeking stood right in front of them, but they didn’t recognize Him. Even though they knew of the Messiah from the Old Testament. Even His own disciple, Philip asked for a sign about God.
John uses the term “sign” often throughout his gospel. This is to reference Jesus’ miracles as a sign of His glory and to the testimony that He is God in the flesh.
At this point in the passage, the Pharisee’s are a bit upset from the righteous anger that Jesus brought upon the merchants and money changers in the temple court. It’s clear God approves of righteous anger directed at sin. Especially when used to expose dishonesty and misdirected use of the temple.
Jesus’ actions prompted a question to be asked by the Pharisee’s and other Jews in the temple court. “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” In other words, who gave you the authority to come in here and ransack the temple court?
Look closely at Jesus remark. Does Jesus answer their question? No! We see Him establish a pattern that will continue into His conversation with Nicodemus, and then His encounter with the Samaritan woman.
We want to remember that Jesus is now in the midst of His ministry. And His ministry is about doing the business of His Father in Heaven. That business is bringing the message of the kingdom of God to mankind.
The True Temple of God
(Verses 19-22) Therefore, the Jews ask Jesus their question from a perspective of worldly concerns, but Jesus delivers the message of God’s kingdom. He’s speaking of spiritual things. This is why we see a contrast between the question by the Jews and the response by Jesus.
“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19)
This scene takes place in the temple courts. The temple which is made of stone, brick and mortar. This is not a spiritual temple but a symbol of the true temple of God which is in Jesus Christ.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:24-25)
Jesus is telling the Jews that when they attempt to destroy the His body (temple) on the cross, He will raise it back up in three days through the resurrection of His body. The true temple is His body and it will not be destroyed.
Jesus continues to deliver His message of the kingdom of God through John after He ascends into heaven at Pentecost. This time it’s through His words to John which make up the book of Revelation. In this important book, Jesus reveals to John that there will be no need for a temple in heaven. Why? Because He’ll be the temple.
In Revelation chapter 21, John is describing the New Jerusalem and then He looks.
“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (Revelation 21:22)