Within the Temple

“Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheeP, 
and doves, as well as the money changers seated there.” (jOHN 2:13)

One can smell the Temple long before seeing it. A strange mixture of heady incense and burning flesh hangs in the air for miles around. Approaching closer, one begins to hear the sounds: chattering voices, bleating sheep, rattling coins, splashing water, and in the background, a steady hum of chanted psalmody. The massive white-stone complex is busier than usual today, as throngs of Passover pilgrims flood the Holy City for the feast.

Among these pilgrims are a motley band of Galileans and their enigmatic Rabbi. The “country boys,” mostly fishermen, have a childlike look of awe on their faces. For some, it is their first time witnessing the sheer grandeur of the Temple. Those with more devout families, who faithfully made the annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem, have not lost their sense of reverence and wonder before the House of the Lord. And the Rabbi? The expression on His face is hard to read — a strange combination of eagerness, sorrow, and determination. But none of His followers notice. They are too busy exclaiming over the newly-completed set of mikveh’ot (ritual baths) that they are soon to enter before approaching God’s house.

Jesus Cleansing the Temple by Carl Heinrich Bloch

Once inside, the noise is almost deafening. It seems that every open space in the court is taken over by merchants, money-changers, or beggars. Shouting, haggling, and a cacophony of animal noises assault the ears. Off to one side, a group of Gentiles (conspicuous because of their foreign clothing) attempt to pray. However, they are continually interrupted by careless passers-by who lead their oxen a little too close and bump into the would-be proselytes (sometimes, it seems, deliberately). The Rabbi’s eyes narrow and His fists clench. He reaches down and grabs a handful of ropes left lying on the ground, presumably after the animal they were restraining had been offered on the altar. John notices Him quickly tying together the loose ends. He really ought to have used a square knot for that, he muses, ever the fisherman — but then his thoughts are arrested by a startling scene.

The gentle Teacher has been transformed into a fiery Prophet. He strides quickly around the Temple court, shouting and using his makeshift whip to send the veritable herds of sheep, goats, and oxen running. With a particularly disgusted look, He approaches the money-changers and summarily knocks their boxes of coins to the floor. The changers scramble after their scattered money and dash for the door. The hubbub is now absolute pandemonium, with merchants and pilgrims alike running to and fro. Only the Twelve, unsure of what to do, remain huddled together in one corner. “Zeal for Your house will consume me,” whispers John, and they all slowly nod.

Eventually the chaos subsides, and the Master is left standing in the center of the nearly-deserted sanctuary. Several Levites, aghast at the scene, rush from the priests’ quarters and demand to know the meaning of this sudden display. Still holding his makeshift whip, the Rabbi looks them square in the eyes and makes a strange declaration: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John notices the Master’s free hand gesturing slightly towards Himself.

After a brief and frustrating interchange, the Levites throw up their hands and begin the task of righting the overturned tables and cleaning up the general mess. The Master turns to His followers, and His grim face breaks into a mysterious smile. “Come, let us adore the LORD in His holy court!”