John 2:13 Commentary and Bible Study

Now we come to the second miracle, though sadly, it isn’t widely recognised as a miracle. This is the first cleansing of the temple at the beginning of Christ’s ministry, recorded only in the Gospel of John; the second was at the very end of his ministry, before he allowed himself to be arrested and then went to Calvary for our redemption. The first cleansing of the temple was carried out as a warning, as a reproof to the people, and a demonstration of his mighty power. It was an appeal to the official clergy to repent of their sin and to become sincere. Three years later it was just the last stroke before the crucifixion and then the judgement of that temple in due course. Maybe there were a few who read it and understood it, like his own disciples, but by and large he was ignored. The same miracle was performed as a final warning and a token of judgement at the very end of his ministry. As one who would meticulously keep the ancient law on the behalf of all his people, Christ went with his family to Jerusalem. This is the first of four recorded visits to Jerusalem during his ministry in the Gospel of John. All Jewish males aged 12 and over, were supposed to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover, which took place each year at the end of March, by our reckoning, and just nudging into April. It commemorated the deliverance of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt, so many centuries before. Every family was supposed to take a lamb which was slaughtered; there was sacrifice, memorial worship, and then the feast, through the whole week.