John 2

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

But he spake of the temple of his body.

When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,

And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

What does John 2:16 mean?

Explanation

This verse, found in the Gospel of John, depicts a moment when Jesus enters the Temple in Jerusalem and reacts to what He sees as a desecration of the holy place.

The scene is commonly known as the Cleansing of the Temple.

Jesus encounters people selling livestock, such as doves, which were used for sacrifices, and money changers, who exchanged Roman coins for currency acceptable for temple offerings.

His command to remove the animals and the emphasis on His Father's house not being a marketplace suggest a deep sense of reverence for the sanctity of worship and a denunciation of commercial activities that distracted from the Temple's primary function as a place of prayer and communion with God.

Jesus' specific mention of doves might have a significant implication as well, considering that doves were often the offering of the poor who could not afford more expensive animals. His actions could be seen as a defense of the poor against an exploitative system.

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Historical Context

The Temple in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus was not only a religious center but also a bustling hub of economic activity.

Animal sacrifices were a common part of Jewish ritual, and many worshippers traveling from afar would purchase animals for sacrifice upon arrival to avoid the difficulty of transporting them.

Additionally, an annual Temple tax had to be paid in Tyrian currency, which was deemed acceptable because of its high silver content. This necessitated money changers who could exchange Roman or other currencies for Tyrian shekels.

The incident is believed to have taken place during Passover, a time when Jews from all over the Roman Empire came to the Temple, which would mean even heightened commercial activity.

This was likely one of the significant events that led to increased tensions between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse has been interpreted in various ways.

For many, it indicates Jesus' authority and his zeal for the purity of worship, highlighting the concept of divine judgment against practices that defile holy places.

This also aligns with Old Testament prophecies such as Malachi 3:1-3, which speaks of the Lord's messenger purifying the Temple.

From another angle, this act of Jesus is seen as an assertion of His messianic role and a symbolic cleansing that foreshadows the New Covenant, wherein sacrificial systems would be superseded by Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.

It also challenges the existing religious status quo, calling for a reformation of temple practices and, more broadly, the religious heart of the nation.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the purity and integrity of spaces and practices dedicated to worship.

It challenges individuals and religious communities to reflect on whether their actions align with the true purpose of their spiritual gatherings - to honor God rather than to serve personal or economic interests.

Moreover, it can lead to introspection about how one might turn their "temples", their bodies or their lives, into houses of merchandise, valuing material gain over spiritual growth and moral living.

Cross-References

Matthew 21:12-13: "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,"
Mark 11:15–17: "And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;"
Malachi 3:1-3: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts."

Language Study

The key word in the original Greek text of this verse is "emporion" (translated as "house of merchandise"), which denotes a place of trading or market.

The imperative phrase "Take these things hence" in Greek is "Arate tauta enteuthen," which has a forceful tone, indicating a strong command rather than a gentle suggestion.

This verb form highlights the urgency and seriousness of Jesus' command.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In several ancient religions, temples were often centers of economic activity, where goods were traded, and offerings to deities were bought and sold.

However, the prophetic tradition within Israel was deeply critical of blending worship with commerce, often calling for purity and justice in religious practice.

Comparatively, in other religions, the temple or shrine spaces might have been seen as integrally connected to the community's economic health, not standing in opposition to commerce within sacred precincts.

Scientific Perspectives

While there are no direct scientific perspectives on this verse, the study of archaeology provides insights into the historical Temple in Jerusalem and its function.

Archaeological findings, such as coins and remains of animals, may offer evidence of the commercial activities described in Biblical accounts.

Additionally, behavioral sciences might shed light on why Jesus' actions had such an immediate and powerful effect on the crowd, as his behavior broke through the normalized desensitization to commercial activities in places which were intended for worship and reflection.

Commentaries

Commentaries on John 2:16 span a wide range of interpretations. William Barclay sees Jesus' actions as a cleansing from the dishonesty and exploitation that infiltrated religious practice. Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the zeal of Christ for the purity of God's house.

More modern commentaries, like those from the New Testament scholar F.F.

Bruce, discuss the symbolism of the act: as Jesus cleanses the Temple, He foreshadows the new order of worship to come through His ministry and the eventual tearing of the Temple veil at His crucifixion, signaling a direct access to God without the need for an intermediary priesthood or sacrificial system.

John 2

John 2

What does John 2:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 2:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?