06 Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-25)

by | Sep 25, 2024 | 01 Podcasts, John

Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life An 19-week Bible study podcast on the Gospel of John. This study examines the big picture of John’s gospel. Detailed observation is so essential to Bible study sometimes we forget to step back and put the pieces together. This study on the Gospel of John models how recognize the big picture and overall themes. Listen to episodes in this series below or on your favorite podcast app. Resources: Gospel of John Bible Study Resources FREE small group discussion questions accompany this series! Discussion questions are currently updated through talk 06. I will be updating with additional questions as the series progresses. Check back here to get the updates. Gospel of John Discussion Questions Free small group discussion questions! To access the download, subscribe to my newsletter by using the form below. As a new subscriber, you will receive a monthly email with the latest content. If you’re already on the list, simply enter your email. You will not be “resubscribed” or receive extra emails. ​ I won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. 01 Gospel of John Introduction In this episode, we delve into the what we know about the author, the Apostle John, and review the unique characteristics of his gospel as well as the significance of how the gospels differ. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on August 21, 2024. Season 25, Episode 1. Podcast #450! 02 In the Beginning was the Word (John 1:1-18) The Apostle John starts his gospel with a prologue which introduces 3 key themes that resonate throughout the book. The thesis of John’s gospel is the only way to gain eternal life in the kingdom of heaven is to believe Jesus is the Christ. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on August 28, 2024. Season 25, Episode 2 03 The Testimony of John the Baptist (John 1:19-34) Instead of telling us John the Baptist’s life story, author John focuses on the evidence John the Baptist provided about the identity of the Christ. John the Baptist gave two kinds of testimony: negative and positive. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on September 4, 2024. Season 25, Episode 3 Following this series? Subscribe to be emailed when a new podcast drops. No charge. No ads. No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. 04 The First Disciples (John 1:34-51) The testimony of John the Baptist sets off a chain reaction. In the first of three related stories, the Apostle John show us how the first disciples moved from curious followers to apostles entrusted with spreading the gospel. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on September 11, 2024. Season 25, Episode 4 05 Jesus Turns Water into Wine (John 2:1-12) Only the disciples and a few servants saw Jesus turn water into wine at the wedding at Cana. John highlights how this quiet miracle confirmed their belief that Jesus is the Christ. Teacher: Krisan Marotta on September 18, 2024. Season 25, Episode 5 06 Jesus Cleanses the Temple John 2:13-25 Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-25)

Jesus cleanses the temple, provoking the leaders to demand a sign of his authority. No one understood his answer until later.

Review

The thesis of John’s gospel is the only way to gain eternal life in the kingdom of heaven is to believe Jesus is the Christ. John chose certain aspects of the ministry of Jesus to highlight certain themes.

  • Theme 1: The importance of testimony. Why should we believe what we haven’t seen for ourselves? We believe because of the testimony of those who saw it.
  • Theme 2: The only way to receive eternal life is to believe in Jesus. What’s the point of all this testimony? That we believe in Jesus. Why is believing in Jesus so important? Because he’s the only one who can grant us eternal life.  
  • Theme 3: Those who believe do so because of the activity of the Spirit of God. We don’t manufacture belief. The Spirit gives it to us. 
  • First story: Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathaniel follow Jesus based on John The Baptist’s testimony.
  • Second story: Jesus turns the water into wine, reinforcing the disciples’ belief.
  • Third Story (Today’s Focus): Jesus cleanses the Temple.

Jesus Cleanses the Historical Setting

  • John places this event early in Jesus’ ministry. Other gospels record Jesus cleansing the temple during the last week of his life. Jesus cleanses the temple twice.
  • Jewish pilgrims needed to exchange coins and valuables for the livestock required for the sacrifice they wished to offer. Money changers grew as a thriving business to meet this need.
  • The money changers set up their marketplace on the temple grounds.

Jesus’ Zeal for God’s House (Psalm 69)

  • “Zeal for your house will consume me,” is from Psalm 69.9
  • Zeal for God’s house had negative consequences for David. 
  • Likewise, zeal for God’s house had negative consequences for Jesus. 
  • The religious authorities want to kill him, and eventually they succeed.
  • After the resurrection, the disciples see the parallel.

Reaction of the Jewish Leaders

  • The Jewish leaders demand to know what gives Jesus the right to cleanse the temple.
  • Jesus speaks metaphorically about raising “this temple” after three days, referring to His resurrection.
  • The leaders misunderstand, and Jesus doesn’t explain.
  • After the resurrection, the disciples recall these words and understand what Jesus meant.
  • Recalling this event strengthens their faith and understanding that Jesus knew his mission all along.

A Note of Caution

  • Sincere, committed faith takes more than being impressed by miracles.
  • Many believed because of signs, but not all belief was genuine.
  • John explores this theme next.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 07 Nicodemus: You must be born again (John 3:1-13)

Previous: 05 Jesus Turns Water into Wine (John 2:1-12)

Series: Gospel of John: Believe and Find Life

Study: Gospel of John Bible Study Resources

Photo by Amy Tran on Unsplash

Podcast season 25, episode 6

Related posts:

  1. 04 Jesus calls the First Disciples (John 1:34-51)
  2. 05 Jesus turns Water into Wine (John 2:1-12)
  3. The Boy Jesus in the Temple and what that teaches us about Bible Study
  4. 03 The Testimony of John the Baptist (John 1:19-34)
  5. 02 In the Beginning was the Word (John 1:1-18)