13The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” 17His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.” 18The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” 19Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.
23Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
Interesting Words
zeal
zelos (Greek) – eagerness, zeal, enthusiasm, jealousy, rivalry, an onomatopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over from heat and perhaps derived from zéō, “to boil”
• Acts 13:44-45
qinah (Hebrew) – ardor, zeal, jealousy
• Ps 69:9; 2Kings 19:31; Isa 9:7; Numb 25:11;
consume
katesthió [Greek] – eat up, eat till it is finished, devour, squander, annoy, injure, from katá, “down,” intensifying esthíō, “eat”), properly, eat all the way down; (figuratively), [completely consume]
• Gal 5:14-15;
akal [Hebrew] – to eat, to devour, figuratively of fire, to consume.
• Gen 2:16-17; Ps 69:9;
Cross References
• Matt 21:12, 13
• Matt 27:40;
Discussion Questions
- How is zeal portrayed by Jesus’ actions in Verses 13-17?
• Jesus knew what was happening and confronted the religious establishment with their sin.
• Whether it was a process that crept in, or a conscious decision to subvert the system, it was still sin.
• Jesus was not surprised by it, but still appalled by the state Israel (the chosen children of God) had fallen to… especially the leadership.
• It is interesting that the quoted OT reference is being applied to Jesus, the Son of God, God Himself… this reflects the attitude of God Himself. Zeal is this an attribute of God, rarely discussed or documented. - Why was it appropriate for Jesus to drive the money changers out of the temple?
• He was simply reflecting God’s holy nature.
• Holiness requires action, especially when events highlight the fact that sin is present in God’s children.
• God defined circumstances show that this was clearly the start of Jesus’ ministry, without question.
• It clearly had ramifications in the lives of everyone present. They experienced the holiness of God and Jesus’ aggressive response against the sin of the Pharisees.
• It was not only explainable but actually a required response. - What other things can we expect from those filled with the zeal of the Lord?
• We should have similar responses when God points out sin among us.
• This will also result in a surprised response from those we engage.
• It will create a similar confrontation… by what authority do you do this, say this?
• What gives you the right? Who made you a judge over us? - What was the response of the Jews? What got the bee in their bonnet?
• They thought God’s works should be dictated by their predefined concepts and parameters.
• Their response was driven by greed.
• Sin and Satan caused them to reject Jesus’ confrontation and rebuke.
• The fact that Jesus called God His Father … Making Himself equal with God, was all true but it did not fit into their plan… John 5:18
• Pride… Prov 16:18 KJV; Prov 8:13 KJV;
• Arrogance… Psalm 86:14; Prov 28:25
• Stupidity… correct a fool and he will hate you. Correct a wise man and he will love you… Prov 12:15 KJV; Prov 14:16 KJV; Prov 15:5 KJV; - Explain Jesus’ response to them and their misunderstanding.
• Jesus was looking a couple of years into the future, and knowing their heart, He could see their plans to kill Him.
• They thought their heart was private and their plans secret. Consequently, they were looking at the physical, the temple.
• Jesus knew the real zeal He had would totally consume Him, and end with giving up His life for all of mankind. They had no idea He would totally triumph over death.
• They had no visibility or vision beyond the first few feet in front of them.
• Jesus’ ministry had literally just begun, and He already know where it would take Him and who was responsible. - What was the response of Jesus’ disciples? What are the implications of the timing of their response?
• They may not have been theology students, but they were certainly tuned in to Jesus’ words and actions.
• They took mental note of things he said even in His early ministry. They were following Jesus for just a few weeks at this point.
• They noted His use and/or reference to Old Testament scripture. They equated Jesus’ words to that of scripture (John 2:22)
• They knew that words meant something and were very important, thus they “memorized” what Jesus said. Maybe not initially, but after the importance was seen, they remembered.
• They immediately saw the confrontation, and sided with Jesus, the Messiah against the religious faction of the day. - What other things happened in Jerusalem at that time? What are the implications of these?
• He did many wonders and signs before the masses. But these were signs and wonders that Jesus did on His terms, on His timing and schedule, not dictated by the religious leaders.
• The masses apparently did not have anything to loose (sordid gain) and many readily believed the signs and wonders that Jesus was doing (John 2:23).
• Jesus knew the heart of the masses. No one had or tell Him what they were thinking. He knew:
> Some were interested only in what they could get (bread, healing, etc.)
> Some wanted relief from oppression (Rome), thus seeking a kingly Messiah.
> Some sought relief from everyday pain (health, poverty, evil masters, bosses, broken relations).
• But some were truly seeking relief from sin the true ministry of God’s Messiah. The things that drive you to a restored relationship with God.