13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 And He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written: “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” 

First Passover

After the wedding miracle (yesterday), Jesus and His disciples head up (it was on a hill) to Jerusalem. It was nearing Passover and Jews should go to the temple at that time. This was His first Passover since starting public ministry. Surely Jesus had been in the temple before and seen this going on. But now was the time to take action. 

Problem?

Merchants were inside the temple grounds, likely in the Court of the Gentiles (see map below) selling stuff. It was a market. But you ask, “What’s wrong with selling things for sacrifice?” Yes, some people came from long distances so this market made it convenient. But the selling should be done outside, in the Jerusalem market. Another clue is there were no merchants in the original (Somon’s) temple. 

The Jews had let sin slip in through “convenience” which directly affected temple worship. Imagine heading to church and there’s a bazaar happening on the street. Not only does it impede your ability to get to service, it’s a temptation to stop and look.  There goes your attitude of worship you had prepared.

Was-Jesus-angry?

Are you surprised when you read this? Though John and other gospels (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18) don’t record that Jesus was angry, yet we know by His actions and His “zeal that consumed Him” that He must have been angry. How is it OK for Jesus to get angry? Isn’t that sin? “You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.” (1 John 3:5) Getting angry is a natural emotion, it’s what we do with it that can be sin. This article will shed some light on that topic.

<- Reflection ->

• When you get angry, is it for righteous reasons? Do you have an anger issue?
• Anger often comes from frustration which comes from lack of control – both of our response, and the situation. Often we get anxious about little things and try to control people and outcomes.
• Ultimately, anger comes from a lack of trust in God.