Lenten Season · Year B
Third Sunday of Lent
February 28, 2027
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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Commentary
Commentary on John 2:13-22 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis reading the temple cleansing as John's opening claim about Jesus' authority (RCL Year B match).
John 2:13-22 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed preaching commentary on Jesus as the Great Disrupter of a domesticated religion.
Enduring Word Commentary: John 2 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes covering the sign at Cana and the temple confrontation.
John 2:13 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries (Barnes, Meyer, Pulpit) on the temple scene gathered on one page.
The Third Sunday in Lent, Year B Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Brant Pitre's Mass Readings Explained walks the Gospel and the Sunday readings in their Jewish context.
John 2 - Word on Fire Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Bishop Barron's ministry gathers homilies and reflections on the cleansing of the temple.
Third Sunday of Lent, Cycle B - Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic family and catechesis resource with reflection questions and prayer for the Sunday.
Background & Word Study
John - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary book introduction covering authorship, structure, and the theology of signs in John.
Gospel of John Overview (Part 1) BibleProject
Animated overview of John 1 to 12, the book of signs that frames the temple episode.
John 2:13 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word-by-word interlinear with parsing and Strong's numbers for the temple passage.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Questions preachers ask
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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