The Gospel of John

Chapter 2

Chapter 2:12-25 (continuation)

After this He went down to Capernaum with His mother and brothers and His disciples. There they stayed for a few days. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves He said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me." Then the Jews demanded of Him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" But the temple He had spoken of was His body. After He was raised from the dead, His disciples recalled what He had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs He was doing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.

In these verses we see the attack from the “religious” realm. It is well to note at that this point that Christianity is not “religion;” it is a relationship or union with the Lord Jesus Christ. Religion is antithesis to Christianity. It always has been and always will be. In fact, “religion” is Satan’s primary tool to distract and derail unbelievers from coming to Christ as well as believers from properly serving Him. Satan uses “religion” to redirect the attention of all persons, unbelievers and believers, from the “principle of faith” to the “principle of works.” “Works” or “human good” carries no favor with God. On the other hand “faith,” which alone can produce “divine good” carries the full favor of God. It is only by faith that man may be united with Christ, and it is only by faith a person who is united with Christ can serve Him. Having presented Himself as the God-man (undiminished deity and true humanity) in previous verses, Jesus now presents Himself as the One who is in contrast with “religion.”

John 2:12, 13

After this He went down to Capernaum with His mother and brothers and His disciples. There they stayed for a few days. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Jesus leaves Cana and travels to Capernaum. He goes with the mother of His humanity (Mary), the brothers of His humanity (Mary’s other children - James, Joseph, Simon and Judas - Mark 6:3; it should be noted that Christ also had sisters of His humanity) and His disciples at this point in time (Andrew, Peter, James, John, Philip, and Nathaniel). They remain there a few days and then when it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, they proceed to Jerusalem.

The Passover was an annual feast commemorating the time when the children of Israel were delivered from slavery in Egypt (a symbol of the believer’s salvation) and were led through the Red Sea to the wilderness, and then to the Promised Land. Notice that this occasion (feast) is called the “Jewish Passover,” whereas in Exodus 12:11 it is called the “LORD’s Passover.” The Passover had at this time been infiltrated by “religion” and had been converted over to a religious ceremony. This is the way “religion” works. It infiltrates the truth, distorts the truth and uses ritual or “works” to obscure the truth. It is unfortunate that instead of learning Bible doctrine and knowing the truth, many Christians find it easier simply to follow the practices of an individual, a local church or a national denomination. The problem is that such practices may not coincide with the Word of God, and that is why it is critical that believers study God’s written Word.

John 2:14

In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.

In this verse we see corruption within the temple. The temple was the place where Christology was taught by means of the articles of the temple, all symbols of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Since the temple and its contents represented the entire realm of the person and work of Jesus Christ, it was a major “hard target” for Satan. Satan had distorted it by “religion.” The temple once a place of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ had now become a place of rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 2:15, 16

So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves He said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

Since the temple, which was in the Old Testament the means of presenting the person and work of Christ, had become a place of the world (world system - controlled by Satan) and its message of Christ distorted, it was necessary for Jesus to cleanse it. He had to take worldly enterprise out of the temple to restore it to its true meaning and service. One of the problems churches and different ministries face today is the infiltration of worldly enterprise, i.e., being consumed with the making of money through repetitive and diverse schemes. Instead of trusting God for support, ministries often resort to a variety of money raising methods. Christians are incessantly bombarded with pressure to provide more and more money, i.e., donations, the selling of various items or participation at various moneymaking events.

In the current dispensation, i.e., The Church Age, which began when the disciples received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) and will end with the Rapture of the Church (1Thessalonians 4:15-17), believers are not under the Law, but under Grace. Since (1) believers are united with Christ by means of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9), which established every believer as a temple for the residence of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 6:16), and (2) since each believer is a royal priest who represents himself before God (1 Peter 2:5, 9), giving is therefore a privilege and a function of God’s leadership by the Holy Spirit.

Giving in the Church Age is not “tithing.” Tithing only applied during the Age of Israel, i.e., (legally) only in Old Testament Israel. Since Israel was a union of “true religion” and state (the Mosaic Law combined both spiritual and civil functions) and also a “theocracy” (ruled by God personally), it was necessary for a system of taxes to be established. God accomplished this when He commanded Israel to bring tithes (Leviticus 27:30-34) - a form of nation taxation. There were several purposes for tithing, i.e., one for the maintenance of the Levites (Numbers 18:21, 24), one for the national feasts and sacrifices (Deuteronomy 14:22-27) and one every third year for the poor and destitute of the land (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29). Tithing applied to both believers and unbelievers alike. Tithing was not the same as “giving,” which stems from a basis of “free choice” that goes beyond the required payment of taxes. The principle for “giving” in the Old Testament is found in the following passages.

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Proverbs 11:24)

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do we rob you?' "In tithes [obligatory] and offerings [“giving” - from free will and the proper motivation]. You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (Malachi 3:8-10)

Although every citizen (believers and unbelievers) were responsible for the tithe in order to support the nation of Israel, only believers could be expected to give in accordance with proper motivation. This principle of “giving,” i.e., freely under no requirement of law, is the same for believers in the Church Age, as it was for believers in the Age of Israel. It is a principle of Grace.

The Grace principle for giving as defined in the New Testament, which is the only system of supplying funds for the work of God that honors God, is found in the following.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful [proper motivation] giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

An extensive passage on the Grace principle of giving is found in 2 Corinthians 8 - 9, but an exposition of this passage must wait for a later date. Suffice it to say that in this passage the Apostle Paul is attempting to influence the Corinthian believers to continue to grow spiritually through the Grace principle of giving. In doing this he continually holds up an example of this kind of giving - the generosity of the impoverished and persecuted Macedonians.

When a believer gives, he is doing what any unbeliever can do; therefore, the value to the believer is not in the gift, but in the spirit by and from which the gift is given. Doing it because (1) it is required, (2) to gain the approbation of God, (3) to gain the attention and respect of man, (4) of guilt, (5) of a one-time emotional event, (6) of pressure from the pulpit, (7) of uncertainty or (8) so that you may be reimbursed even more by God - are all unacceptable reasons before God. They then would be the works of “wood, hay or straw” (human good) of I Corinthians 3:12which are of no value and will be consumed by fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

The Grace principle of giving is more than just donating money. It is a function of worship by the believer. It involves the condition of the soul and mental attitude, as well as material possessions. God gives different gifts and different possessions to different believers. To some He gives the ability and desire to give more than He does to others. Each believer by the process of being free from “known” sins (1 John 1:9) and by the Principle of Faith are controlled by the Holy Spirit (Colossians 2:6) will worship God in various ways, one being through the Grace principle of giving. This “giving” will then be works of “gold, silver, costly stones” (divine good), which will be rewarded and not consumed by fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Remember, Grace giving is a function of the believer’s free will (not the legalism of the “tithe”) and is never coerced, pressured or in accordance with the eight reasons depicted in the previous paragraph. It is unfortunate that the leadership in many Christian churches throughout our land today de-emphasizes or avoids altogether the principle of Grace giving, resorting to constant methods of applied pressure and other legalistic approaches. These methods of soliciting funds do not honor God. It would be far better for them to place a box at the rear of the church in which attendees could give anonymously, rather than resort to legalism.

Now back to our scriptures in John.

It is interesting to note that the “moneychangers” were actually performing a religious activity. They were selling sacrificial animals to be utilized in ceremonies, but selling them at exorbitant prices. The moneychangers had purchased their franchises from the Scribes and the Pharisees (the Sanhedrin, which took a percentage of the profits). It was big business, and the emphasis was not on doing the work of God, but on making money.

Jesus cleansed the temple area in a violent manner. He turned over the tables of those who peddled merchandise and drove the merchants away with a whip that He had made with His own hands. He made only one exception to this routine. He sternly commanded those who sold doves to take them out of the temple and told them forcefully that they should not make the temple (His Father’s house) a place to peddle merchandise. Since the dove represents the Holy Spirit in Scripture, this may be why Christ didn’t use more violence on the dove merchants.

John 2:17

His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."

Having witnessed this “cleansing” by Christ, the disciples recalled Psalm 69:9 - a prediction that the coming Messiah would be completely consumed with a passion for the truth (Bible doctrine), which in the Old Testament was symbolized by the rituals of the temple. They witnessed Jesus as He manifested an intense determination that the worship of God should be pure. This convinced them that He was the One of whom the Psalmist had spoken. Today believers have much more that represents the truths of God. We have God’s Written Record - the Holy Bible. We should be even more jealous in making sure that it is properly understood and applied to our lives.

John 2:18-22

Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" But the temple He had spoken of was His body. After He was raised from the dead, His disciples recalled what He had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Here we see the “religious” Jews (for this was during the Passover) approach and challenge Jesus. They wanted to know of what authority Christ was doing what He was doing in the temple, i.e., to destroy their “religious” activity. They demanded some miraculous sign to prove that He had the authority to throw the merchants out of their temple. Jesus gave them an answer, but not one they could anticipate or understand. He didn’t say “destroy the temple;” He said “destroy this temple.” He was referring to the temple of His body, and He may have even pointed to His body (although we don’t know this for certain - it just seems logical). The “temple” of the body is carried over and applies to believers during the Church Age, which is to say each believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit - the means in which Christ live in us and we in Him during this dispensation.

The religious Jews could not understand this. They only understood that the temple that Herod had refurbished had taken 46 years for completion of the project. They both challenged and questioned Christ by expressing disbelief that He could raise their temple up in three days, should it be destroyed. But Jesus kept on speaking (a better interpretation from the Greek language) regarding the temple of His body. So Jesus kept on track, even though the “religious” crowd was off track - a picture of the believer who lives Bible doctrine when associated with the “religious” or “legalistic” crowd of today.

Not even the disciples of Christ at that time understood or believed Him. But after His resurrection, they recalled this event and believed. It’s amazing how the disciples of Christ learned so little during their three years at the feet of Christ. After three years of concentrated “Bible study,” they remained ignorant and often failed Christ, e.g., the behavior of Peter just prior to Christ being crucified. But once Christ rose from the dead, everything “clicked” and they believed. Even though the disciples knew Bible doctrine, they apparently were not applying it to their lives. Their ignorant condition during their days with Christ to a great extent reflects the condition prevalent with believers today.

It is sad how little believers truly study or learn Bible doctrine. Even when they learn Bible doctrine, they often fail to apply it to their lives through the Principle of Faith, i.e., accepting as fact its truth and counting on it in the same manner in which they accepted Christ as personal Savior. During the Church Age, Christ does not reveal Himself in person, in signs or visions any longer. He has chosen to reveal Himself through the canon of His written Word. Today’s believers are more fortunate than those of the days when Christ walked the earth. Today’s believers have a more complete revelation of Him in the written Word of God. If they will only digest it, they will know their Savior in a much greater and more detailed way than the disciples that actually walked with Him back then.

I also suggest that reverence for the disciples of Christ, during their years when Christ was physically alive on the earth, is an improper attitude for believers. During this time these disciples were not too sharp. Actually, they were kind of dumb. They were not “swift” at all. How often have you heard some believer say, “If I could only have lived back then with Jesus. I would follow Him, learn and apply His teaching to my life.” Rubbish! Chances are he or she would be no different than the disciples of old. The disciples did follow Jesus morning, noon and night, but they didn’t have much to show for it as far as applied truth (Bible doctrine) is concerned. It only came together (their thought processes) upon the resurrection of Christ. Only after the resurrection they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

This is illustrative of the Grace of God. If God can take eleven individuals who were slow learners and eventually turn them into powerhouses for God, He can surely take you and me and do the same. They were no better than any believer of today - and remember, this includes you - so there is hope for us all.

Before Christ was crucified, the disciples saw many miracles and wondrous acts of Jesus. Yet, they still did not believe. It is the same today. Miracles are no guarantee that we will believe or be any better than the disciples of old. You may go through an emotional ceremony or experience, but this is no guarantee that you are a better person. Divine good only comes from Bible doctrine as it is learned under the direction of the Holy Spirit and is applied to your (life) experiences. You must understand that only through the Principle of Faith and the digestion of truth (Bible doctrine) will you be successful in your spiritual life. Emotionalism feels good, but it is not in feelings that we honor God. It is in how God by means of the Holy Spirit fills (control) our lives to the end result of “divine good.”

John 2:23-25

Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs He was doing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.

During this time Christ Jesus continued to perform miracles. Having seen the miracles, many believed in His name, i.e., on His person or the fact that He was their coming King (Messiah). Because of this it is logical to assume that many wanted Christ to put Himself in their hands, so that they could elevate Him to a proper kingship position. But He did not “entrust Himself to them,” i.e., He did not place Himself in their hands (or under their influence or control). Why? Because they did not have the authority to make Him King, or, for that matter, to do anything for Him. More than this, to do so would divert Him from His only mission on earth - to do the will of God the Father by providing a substitution death for all mankind upon the Cross of Calvary. He knew what was in man, i.e., the “sin nature” and its result in the spiritual death of everyone born of man and women; therefore, His focus was always on the cross and God’s plan of salvation for all mankind. This must be our focus today.