July 20, 2025: Cleansing the Temple | John 2:13-25

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12: 38-40).

There are two times in scripture where Jesus threw out the moneychangers and those buying and selling in the area known as the Court of the Gentiles at the Temple. We’ll look at one in our lesson today. This one occurred toward the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, and the other happened just a week before the crucifixion. You can read of it in Matthew chapter 21.  

And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

In the first part of John chapter 2, we read of the wedding at Cana. Jesus turned water into wine.  It is important to notice that the same word used for  “sign” in this chapter is the word used for “miracle” in the account of the wedding.  It is also important to note that scripture gives the reason Jesus performed this first miracle; This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:11).

Without a doubt, the word was spreading as Jesus headed to Jerusalem for the passover. 

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

First, let’s discuss why animal sellers and money changers were present at the temple to begin with.  Passover is an annual feast that all Jewish men are required to attend.  Since many traveled great distances from different countries to get to Jerusalem to observe the feast of Passover, it was determined that it would be a good time to collect the tax for the upkeep of the temple. 

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. (Exodus 30:13-16).

Travelers could exchange their money (for a fee) for temple money, and the coins were known to be 90-95% pure silver. Over time, the Tyrian shekel became the trademark or the preferred temple money. Interestingly, most devout Jews would not carry this money because it was imprinted with an image of the gods of Tyre. Those who would not carry this money needed a money changer to exchange it for money the temple would accept. Note: it is interesting that the image did not affect the Temple’s requirement for this coinage. 

 Rather than travel long distances with their animal offerings, businessmen sold animals to  those who came to the temple on their arrival. The priests played a part in this as well. They were required to “inspect” animals before allowing them to be offered.  The priests could disqualify animals brought in as impure or damaged and require new purchases. For all of these “conveniences”, the changers of money and the sellers of animals charged a little extra to make their own profit, sometimes cheating or price gouging. Worship became a lucrative business and less of a true religious observance.  Even in that day the adage “follow the money” was true. This and other High Holy days celebrated by the Jews meant big revenue.  Yet the law of Moses said they were not to charge extra (usery) to their brothers.   

Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury: Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it. (Deuteronomy 23:19-20).

Note: Interestingly, this was not practiced at the time of Jesus. 

And finally, all of this business activity took place in the Court of the Gentiles. This court was supposed to be used for the stranger, the foreigner, the gentile, or the physically/spiritually unclean who came to attend the feast. These people were not allowed inside the temple, but were given this place to participate and worship. The temple merchandizing took their place away in opposition to God’s desire to incorporate all people; into this house of prayer.  

Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. (Isaiah 56: 3-7).

 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Jesus didn’t act irrationally.  He was not overcome with anger.  He did not act foolishly or sin.  He saw the corruption and the rebellion against His Father’s will and made a scourge, then he drove them out. Why? Because the most sacred place, the Temple, had become a marketplace. It was not a house of prayer open to everyone. It was not considerate of the poor. It didn’t have any consideration for the outsider/gentile/lame. They were using Passover to make a profit. They had forgotten the whole purpose of Passover.   

 It was given to remember and to worship God for His deliverance of His people from Egypt. It was a time to reverence God, and make Him known.  David said, I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. (Psalm 69:8-9).

 And Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. (Psalm 119:136-139).

He prophetically predicted Jesus’ response. The disciples understood.  

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

The religious leaders did not understand. They asked for a sign to show them by what authority Jesus had the right to run out the money changers, turn over tables, and disrupt their activities. They didn’t believe the commands of God or the voice of His Son; these verses remind us of the questions people ask when they are trying to find a loophole around a truth. “God would want us to collect the temple tax!”  “ He would want us to make it easier for those traveling long distances!” All the while, they were excusing their sinful behavior that included deceit, pride, greed, and exclusion. 

They asked for a miracle, perhaps they’d heard that he had changed water into wine at Cana. He said, “  Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. “ Though they don’t understand it here, there is no bigger sign of His authority.

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

The religious leaders answered in the physical present.  Nothing for them to see here.  No authority; no signs. Not yet.  The religious leaders would use this line against Jesus at his trial.  This sign (miracle) had never been done before.  The disciples heard Him, but until His resurrection, they didn’t understand it.

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Jesus knew that some would believe in him, some would want to see a show, or partake in the benefits of the miracles. Jesus knows us. How would He not?  He created us. He knows there is none good but God.  He didn’t play to the crowd or perform for their approval.  He knows who He is.  He knew why He came down to earth. He didn’t need men to brag on him, confirm him, or speak for him.  God the Father and the Holy Spirit would do that.  

  There is a great lesson here for the church in 2025.  It isn’t what the crowd says or what is socially accepted or expected. We should be asking, “What does the Word of God say?” Our goal is not to please men (which is impossible). We are not to measure our worth by what men say - values, culture, and requirements change.  Like Jesus, we must strive to please and measure our worth by God’s standards.  You are worth what someone will pay for you.  Jesus paid it all!

Today we find our modern “money changers “ promising all the goodness of God, but it is dependent upon your offering and commitment to their ministry. We see dollars made by selling items the public likes or society agrees with, even though they don’t really speak the truth about God.  Peter warns us all to be aware of those who make merchandise of us. 

 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2Peter 2:1-3).  

We are to be wise and are charged with keeping the good news of Jesus pure.  We must always be on guard to root out the things that only benefit the bottom line and focus instead on those things that will lead to eternal life for as many as possible. The activities at the temple violated the purpose for which they were intended.  Does the church in 2025 need to be reminded to review our activities and purpose?

 Let the accounts in John chapter 2 be the pattern for your life.  

Conversion - Jesus changed (converted the water into wine). To start on this journey with Jesus, ask Him into your heart. Be converted, turned around, changed. The old things pass behind you, and new things take their place. Your focus once was on your gain, your prestige, you, you, you, and you! Submit to God - turn away from sin.  Turn toward God and learn of Him.  He has much more in store for you than you can ever have on your own. 

Cleansing -  Jesus cleansed the temple. Your conversion will be immediate; however, your cleansing will be an ongoing process. God will help you remove the distractions and the things that hinder your closeness to Him. He will allow you to learn and grow from his word (the Bible), prayer, both personal and in church, and connect you to a true family built on God. This new family, flaws and all, will help you travel through life as you learn and grow.  

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!