John 2:15

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 {G2532} when he had made {G4160} a scourge {G5416} of {G1537} small cords {G4979}, he drove {G1544} them all {G3956} out of {G1537} the temple {G2411}, and {G5037} the sheep {G4263}, and {G2532} the oxen {G1016}; and {G2532} poured out {G1632} the changers {G2855}' money {G2772}, and {G2532} overthrew {G390} the tables {G5132};

He made a whip from cords and drove them all out of the Temple grounds, the sheep and cattle as well. He knocked over the money-changers’ tables, scattering their coins;

So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables;

Commentary

John 2:15 vividly recounts Jesus' forceful purification of the Jerusalem Temple, a powerful demonstration of His authority and zeal for God's house. This event, often known as the Temple cleansing, stands out early in John's Gospel, setting a precedent for Jesus' mission and character.

Historical and Cultural Context

The scene takes place in the outer area of the Temple complex, specifically the Court of the Gentiles. During major Jewish festivals like Passover, thousands of pilgrims would flock to Jerusalem. Many needed to exchange foreign currency, which bore images of Roman emperors, for Temple-approved coinage to pay the annual Temple tax or purchase sacrificial animals. The practice of selling doves, sheep, and oxen within the Temple precincts, while convenient, had become highly commercialized and exploitative. Jesus' actions directly confront this corruption, which turned a place of prayer and worship into a bustling marketplace, making it a "den of thieves" (Matthew 21:13).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority: Jesus acts with profound authority, not as an ordinary man or even just a prophet, but as the Son of God with jurisdiction over His Father's house. This immediate display of power asserts His unique identity.
  • Zeal for God's House: The passage highlights Jesus' passionate concern for the sanctity of worship. His disciples later recalled the prophecy, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up" (John 2:17), emphasizing His righteous indignation against the irreverence and commercialism.
  • Purity of Worship: Jesus' actions underscore the necessity of purity, reverence, and sincerity in approaching God. True worship should be focused on devotion and spiritual communion, free from exploitation or distraction.
  • Prophetic Action: This Temple cleansing serves as a symbolic act, foreshadowing the judgment of the old covenant system and the establishment of a new way of worship centered on Jesus Himself, as hinted in His subsequent words about destroying and rebuilding the Temple (John 2:19-21).

Linguistic Insights

The "scourge of small cords" (Greek: phragellion - φραγέλλιον, made from schoinion - σχοινίον, meaning 'rope' or 'rush') suggests a simple, quickly fashioned whip. It was likely used to drive the animals out and as a powerful symbol of authority rather than for inflicting physical harm on people. Jesus' actions were decisive and symbolic, focusing on the removal of the commercial activities and the restoration of reverence.

Practical Application

John 2:15 profoundly impacts our understanding of worship today. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts and lives, recognizing that our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus purified the physical Temple, we are called to consecrate our lives to God, removing anything that profanes His presence or detracts from true worship. It also serves as a warning against the commercialization of spiritual things and encourages a deep reverence for God in all aspects of our faith and practice.

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Cross-References

  • John 18:6 (-3 votes)

    As soon then as he had said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4 (-3 votes)

    (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

  • Zechariah 4:6 (-4 votes)

    Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.