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Pentecost Season · Year C

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple, Rembrandt van Rijn
Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1626Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow · public domain

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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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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