Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

D.A. Carson, “According to John, Jesus’ opponents did not have a clue what he meant; indeed, Jesus’ own disciples had no idea, at the time, what he meant.

But after Jesus was raised from the dead, John says, the disciples remembered his words; they believed the Scripture and the words Jesus had spoken.

They knew he was talking about his body (vv.

20–22).

The point is that under the terms of the old covenant, the temple was the great meeting-place between a holy God and his sinful people.

This was the place of sacrifice, the place of atonement for sin.

But this side of the cross, where Jesus by his sacrifice pays for our sin, Jesus himself becomes the great meeting-place between a holy God and his sinful people; thus he becomes the temple, the meeting-place between God and his people.”

Jesus Goes Public

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem - We see that Jesus is in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover as the law of Israel demands.

This was the festival which commemorated the Exodus.

It celebrates when the Angel of the Lord passed over all the homes that had the blood the lamb applied on their doorposts.

We see that Jesus is in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover as the law of Israel demands.

This was the festival which commemorated the Exodus.

It celebrates when the Angel of the Lord passed over all the homes that had the blood the lamb applied on their doorposts.

In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there - College Press NIV Commentary explains the layout of the Temple complex – “The large court area in the temple in Jerusalem included some thirteen to nineteen acres, and was divided into four smaller areas: the court of the Gentiles, of the women, of Israel (or Jewish men), and of the priests.

It was in the court of the Gentiles (by far the largest of the four courts) that the selling of livestock and the exchanging of money took place.

This may reflect (simply) that the court of the Gentiles was the most usable area because of its greater size.

It may also show a condescending attitude of Jews towards the Gentiles; that is, trade in God’s house was too reprehensible for Jews but not for Gentiles.”

In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there -

College Press NIV Commentary explains the layout of the Temple complex – “The large court area in the temple in Jerusalem included some thirteen to nineteen acres, and was divided into four smaller areas: the court of the Gentiles, of the women, of Israel (or Jewish men), and of the priests.

It was in the court of the Gentiles (by far the largest of the four courts) that the selling of livestock and the exchanging of money took place.

This may reflect (simply) that the court of the Gentiles was the most usable area because of its greater size.

It may also show a condescending attitude of Jews towards the Gentiles; that is, trade in God’s house was too reprehensible for Jews but not for Gentiles.”

As Jesus walks into the temple area, he sees the buying, selling and money changing.

As a result, he is filled with displeasure.

John MacArthur describes what Jesus saw and why:

“During the celebration of Passover, worshipers came from all over Israel and the Roman Empire to Jerusalem.

Because many traveled large distances, it was inconvenient to bring their sacrificial animals with them.

Opportunistic merchants, seeing a chance to provide a service and probably eyeing considerable profit during this time, set up areas in the outer courts of the temple in order for travelers to buy animals.

The money changers were needed because the temple tax, paid annually by every conscientious Jewish male 20 years of age or older (; ), had to be in Jewish or Tyrian coinage (because of its high purity of silver).

Those coming from foreign lands would need to exchange their money into the proper coinage for the tax.

The money changers charged a high fee for the exchange.

With such a large group of travelers and because of the seasonal nature of the celebration, both the animal dealers and money exchangers exploited the situation for monetary gain ("den of thieves"; ).

Religion had become crass and materialistic.

How would the Son of God, God in the flesh respond to this perversion of the worship of Israel?

And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen.

And he poured out the coin of the money-changers and overturned their table -

And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen.

And he poured out the coin of the money-changers and overturned their table - Because no weapons were allowed in the temple area, Jesus fashioned a whip out of some rope material that was probably used to guide animals.

After he prepares his whip, we see Jesus move into high activity.

He is motivated with holy anger and rage.

He drives all out of the temple area.

Everything that did not belong in this sacred place was cast out by force.

Because no weapons were allowed in the temple area, Jesus fashioned a whip out of some rope material that was probably used to guide animals.

After he prepares his whip, we see Jesus move into high activity.

He is motivated with holy anger and rage.

He drives all out of the temple area.

Everything that did not belong in this sacred place was cast out by force.

He drove the larger animals out of this area, dumped out the money changers’ boxes, overturned their tables, told those that owned doves to carry them out, and rebuked the whole in the following:

Do not make - The force of the Gr.

imperative should better be translated "stop making," indicating Jesus’ demand that they stop their current practice.

God’s holiness demands holiness in worship.

My Father’s house - John gave a subtle hint of Jesus’ divine Sonship as well as His messiahship with the recording of this phrase (see 5:17, 18).

House of merchandise.

- The word "merchandise" pictures a trading house filled with wares.

“Do not make this place that belongs to my Father into a place where you do business” or “Do not take my Father’s place and make it into a marketplace.”

This is certainly an amazing occurrence.

How did Jesus accomplish this amazing task with only a whip of cords?

There would have been in the temple area to temple guard that was to keep peace and control.

In addition, there was the Roman Antonia Fortress overlooking the temple area.

Too much commotion would cause the Romans to move in to quiet the noise.

No resistance

Do not make - The force of the Gr.

imperative should better be translated "stop making," indicating Jesus’ demand that they stop their current practice.

God’s holiness demands holiness in worship.

Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

Do not make - The force of the Gr.

imperative should better be translated "stop making," indicating Jesus’ demand that they stop their current practice.

God’s holiness demands holiness in worship.

My Father’s house - John gave a subtle hint of Jesus’ divine Sonship as well as His messiahship with the recording of this phrase (see 5:17, 18).

House of trade - The word "trade" pictures a merchandise place filled with wares.

“Do not make this place that belongs to my Father into a place where you do business” or “Do not take my Father’s place and make it into a marketplace.”

This is certainly an amazing occurrence.

How did Jesus accomplish this amazing task with only a whip of cords?

There would have been in the temple area to temple guard that was to keep peace and control.

In addition, there was the Roman Antonia Fortress overlooking the temple area.

Too much commotion would cause the Romans to move in to quiet the noise.

No resistance

Malachi

His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” - There is discussion about when the disciples remembered this verse from believe that the disciples recalled this phrase as they saw Jesus challenge the perversion of the true worship of YHWH.

As he is dealing with the effects of hard-heartedness, the disciples recalled a verse from .

His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” -

His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” - There is discussion about when the disciples remembered this verse from believe that the disciples recalled this phrase as they saw Jesus challenge the perversion of the true worship of YHWH.

As he is dealing with the effects of hard-heartedness, the disciples recalled a verse from .

There is discussion about when the disciples remembered this verse from believe that the disciples recalled this phrase as they saw Jesus challenge the perversion of the true worship of YHWH.

As he is dealing with the effects of hard-heartedness, the disciples recalled a verse from - “will cause my death.”

Jesus’ Opponents Demand Power

So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” - After the commotion, the leaders of the temple worship have a question to pose to Jesus.

The Jewish authorities are concerned with a miracle which would not merely demonstrate his supernatural power, but would indicate as well a corresponding right to act in a way which seemed a gross violation of the existing tradition.

So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” - After the commotion, the leaders of the temple worship have a question to pose to Jesus.

The Jewish authorities are concerned with a miracle which would not merely demonstrate his supernatural power, but would indicate as well a corresponding right to act in a way which seemed a gross violation of the existing tradition.

After the commotion, the leaders of the temple worship have a question to pose to Jesus.

The Jewish authorities are concerned with a miracle which would not merely demonstrate his supernatural power, but would indicate as well a corresponding right to act in a way which seemed a gross violation of the existing tradition.

Jesus Speaks of Passion and Power

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

- Jesus will not produce an immediate sign, but he will tell them about one that he will give in the future.

However, he delivers his answer in cryptic (Having hidden meaning) and enigmatic (puzzling or hard to understand) language.