John 2:13-17 (WEL) The time for the Jews’ Passover was soon, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple, he found those who sold oxen, sheep, doves, and money changers sitting for business. 15 After he had made a whip from small cords, he drove them all out from the temple, both sheep and oxen. Then he poured out the money changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 Then he said to those who sold doves, “Take these things out of here, do not make my Father’s house a marketplace.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “The zeal of your house has eaten me up.” [Psalm 69:9]
V13 The time for the Jews’ Passover was soon, so Jesus went to Jerusalem.
The main points of the Passover (Exodus 12:1—13:16):
Reason: Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery
The meal:
- It is named the Seder
- It retells the Exodus through readings, symbolic foods, prayers, and actions
- No leaven must be found in their homes or food
Seder Plate Components (AI summary)
- Matzah — Unleavened bread symbolizing the haste of the Exodus.
- Maror (bitter herbs) — Represents the bitterness of slavery.
- Chazeret (second bitter herb) — Reinforces the harshness of bondage.
- Charoset — Sweet mixture of apples, nuts, and wine symbolizing the mortar used by Israelite slaves.
- Karpas (greens) — Usually parsley or celery, symbolizing spring and hope.
- Zeroa (shank bone) — Represents the Passover lamb sacrificed on the night of the Exodus.
- Beitzah (egg) — Symbolizes the cycle of life and mourning for the destroyed Temple.
Other elements (AI summary)
- Four cups of wine — correspond to God’s four promises in Exodus 6.
- Elijah’s Cup — A fifth cup left for the prophet Elijah, symbolizing hope for the Messiah.
- Additional foods such as fish or eggs may appear depending on community tradition.
All of this meal is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ’s ministry as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) for all people, though sadly most reject the offer of freedom from slavery to sin and freedom to serve the Lord Jesus.
V14 In the temple, he found those who sold oxen, sheep, doves, and money changers sitting for business.
What was the Temple for? It was for 1) a dwelling place for the one and only God—1 Kings 8:27, 2) a place for humans to worship God by their presence, their offerings, their prayers, and their praises, 3) a place of prayer, 4) a place for the High Priest to carry out his ministry.
What Jesus found instead was a market and a bank. The space needed for worship and prayer was removed to make money. This was a total rejection of the real purposes.
V15 After he had made a whip from small cords, he drove them all out from the temple, both sheep and oxen. Then he poured out the money changers’ money and overturned the tables.
Jesus is King of kings, the Messiah, and God the Son. He surveys the situation, brings a charge, gives a verdict, and carries out the sentence. He works to make the Temple clean by removing the defilement (dung and whatnot).
This is an example of righteous indignation.
V16 Then he said to those who sold doves, “Take these things out of here, do not make my Father’s house a marketplace.”
Jesus gives a command and its reason.
Principle: it is good to give a reason and purpose when we give a command.
V17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “The zeal of your house has eaten me up.” [Psalm 69:9]
The Greek word for zeal is G2205 ζῆλος zēlos and means
(Eerdman’s Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (EDNT – 3 Vols.)) designate a passionate commitment to a person or cause (Stumpff 876). The motivation can vary: commitment to the highest values, fascination, contact with sacred sentiments, injured honor, rivalry or envy, contentiousness, and irritability.
(Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) the capacity of a state of passionate commitment.
We learn:
- Some basics about the Jewish Feast of the Passover.
- The authority of the Lord Jesus.
- Godly zeal.
Questions:
- Is Jesus the ultimate authority of your life?
- Do you have zeal for God?