John 2:13-25
The Jews passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheen and doves. and the changers of money sitting.”
That seems the first passover after the Lord Jesus began His public teaching: at that time Jewish men came from all countries, as that temple was the only place sacrifices were to be offered. Very many animals were used, and many gifts of money were given.
All should have been in praise to God; instead, it was as a market place to make money. The gifts were to be in special money, so men charged fees to make the changes, which was contrary to their laws (Ex. 30:11-16; Deut. 23:19; Deut. 14:24,25).
Jesus was grieved to see the business there, and He made a scourge (a whip of leather cords) and drove out the sheep and oxen, and told the men selling doves to take them away, He overturned the tables of the money changers, and said,
“Take these things hence; make not My Father’s House a house of merchandise, (a place to buy and sell)”.
“The zeal of Thine House hath eaten Me up.” Ps. 69:9. That His Father should not be dishonored was more to Him than all else.
But the men in charge of the temple were indignant, although they knew the laws of God, and that it was entirely wrong for them to allow such things. They asked Jesus to show “a sign” of His right to do this.
His words, “My Father’s House”, was the same as to say He was the Son of God, and gave them the reason for His right to clear God’s House or what was wrong.
These men had not believed the answer of the prophet John that Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Holy One, for then they would have known His authority and have been ashamed at their wicked ways.
But Jesus gave them a sign; He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
They did not understand that; they knew the temple had been many year, in building, and they asked how He could build it in three days; they meant to ridicule Him.
But “the sign” He told them was really to foretell His own death; they would try to “destroy” Him on the cross; and He would rise in three days. If they had believed the scriptures the, would have known that the Holy One, to come was their true “Temple”, for it was only by Him they could be blessed and God worshipped; He was their real “altar”, “ark”, and “mercy seat”.
After He was crucified they remembered His words that He would rise but not to put their trust in Him; they only wanted His tomb made more sure, (Matt. 27:62-64). They did not give up their evil ways.
ML 02/09/1946