John 2:13-22 – The Cleansing of the Temple

Read John 2:13-22

1) When was the Passover held each year? What were some of the key features of its observance? (Exodus 12:1-20)

2) Moses calls the feast “the Lord’s Passover” (Exodus 12:11,27, Lev. 23:5, Num. 28:16). Several times John calls it “the Jews’ Passover” (John 2:13, 6:4, 11:55). Why? (See Amos 5:21-27)

3) Describe the temple atmosphere in Luke 2:46-47 and here in John 2:14. How would you explain the differences?

4) Was the condition of worship in the temple a new problem for Israel? (Jeremiah 7:11, Malachi 1:6-8, 13)

5) We already discovered that the prophecies regarding John the Baptist in Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6 were fulfilled the first time Jesus came, and will be again when he returns. Read Malachi 3:1-4. Would the cleansing of the temple also be an example of a similar near/far reference?

6) Verse 16 is the only place in scripture where Jesus calls the temple in Jerusalem “my Father’s House.” (In John 14:2, the only other time Jesus uses the words “my Father’s house”, he is referring to heaven.) What does this say about his authority to take the actions he does in verse 14-15?

7) In verse 17, the disciples remember the scripture from Psalm 69:9. This is a very significant Messianic Psalm, and there are several prophecies regarding the crucifixion in this Psalm as well as John’s quotation of verse 9. What is zeal? What is the number one characteristic of someone who is zealous?

8 ) Was this an appropriate response from Jesus? Why or why not?

9) How did the Jews react? (v. 18)

10) Reread Malachi 3:1-4. Was the cleansing of the temple itself their sign?

11) What is the purpose of a sign? (Exodus 4:1-10, John 20:30-31)

12) How did Jesus respond to the Jews’ demand for a sign?

13) Read a few other instances in scripture where people asked for and received signs from God (for example Exodus 4:1-9, Judges 6:36-40, 2 Kings 20:8-9, Luke 2:8-20, others you may know of). What differences do you note in the people who asked for and received the signs? What differences in how God gave the signs? What seems important to you about asking for and receiving signs from God?

14) How would you respond to someone who said that they had asked God for a sign that he was real but nothing had happened?

15) The Jews’ response in verse 20 is not the last time we will see Jesus speak of a spiritual reality, while his hearers cannot seem to get beyond the literal, physical meaning of his words. Is there anything in our study of John thus far that would explain their lack of comprehension?

16) This statement by Jesus in verse 19 later becomes the basis of the false accusations brought against him at his trial (Mark 14:57-58). How is this possible?

17) Based on verse 22, would you say that the disciples understood Jesus words about destroying the temple? How would you describe their faith in Jesus at this point in their walk with him?

18) Considering that the church (Ephesians 2:19-22) and we as individual believers (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) are now God’s temple, how should we apply this portion of scripture in our own lives and church?