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Ordinary Time · Year B

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Christ Cleansing the Temple, Luca Giordano
Christ Cleansing the Temple, Luca Giordano, second half of 17th centuryBob Jones University Museum & Gallery, via Web Gallery of Art
Giordano paints it as a stampede: tables going over, coins in the air, animals bolting out of the frame.It is the reading, and Giordano is the painter who gives it the most noise.Luca GiordanoA Neapolitan nicknamed Luca fa presto, Luke work quickly, who painted enormous ceilings at astonishing speed for the Spanish court.Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery, via Web Gallery of ArtA South Carolina university museum with an unexpectedly strong collection of Baroque religious painting.Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery, via Web Gallery of Art

Overview & Insights

“Zeal for your house will consume me.” (John 2:17)

Jesus’ first visit to Jerusalem, like each of his subsequent visits, takes place in connection with one of the Jewish feasts. He comes as a pilgrim, to keep the Passover Feast. In particular, the wording of verse 13 corresponds closely to that of 11:55, which signals the last Passover and the beginning of Jesus’ Passion. When the notice here in chapter 2 is followed by an account of the temple cleansing, an event associated in the other Gospels with the Passion week, it appears that this first Passover is indeed the last and that the events of Jesus’ Passion are about to start. The impression has been created because the Gospel writer has transferred the temple cleansing almost to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. This is more likely than supposing that Jesus actually cleansed the temple twice.

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Take it further: John 2:13-22

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What happens when Jesus cleanses the temple?

Jesus drives out the money changers and, challenged for a sign, speaks of the temple of his body, which he will raise in three days.

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