The Way
Overturning the Temple Tables
His Father's house turned into a market
Story
As Passover drew near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. When he entered the temple courts, merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves stood in rows. Money changers sat at their tables exchanging coins. The bellowing of animals and the clink of money filled the place meant for prayer.
Jesus made a whip out of cords. He drove all the sheep and cattle out of the temple, scattered the money changers' coins, and overturned their tables. To those selling doves he said, get these out of here. Do not turn my Father's house into a marketplace. Watching him, his disciples remembered a line from the Psalms. Zeal for your house will consume me.
The Jewish leaders crowded around and challenged him. What sign will you show us for doing this? Jesus answered. Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again. They shot back. It took forty-six years to build this temple, and you will raise it in three days? But the temple he spoke of was his own body. Only after he had risen from the dead did his disciples remember these words and believe.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Get these out of here. Stop turning my Father's house into a place of trade.
Tear down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.
This Temple took forty-six years to build, and you will raise it in three days?
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Jn 2:13–25
Background
Herod began rebuilding the Temple around 20 BC. The money changers exchanged coins from many lands into Tyrian shekels for paying the Temple tax. John places this event early in Jesus' ministry.
Pause and Reflect
Even in worship, am I counting what I'll gain before thinking of God?