Lenten Season · Third Sunday in Lent · Year B
John 2:13-22
Jesus Clears the Temple
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
John 2:13-22 Working Preacher
Lutheran exegetical commentary on Jesus cleansing the temple.
John 2:13-22 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary reading the text Christologically.
Bridge Building SALT Project
An ecumenical commentary framing the cleansing as Jesus breaking down barriers between God and people.
Third Sunday of Lent, Cycle B Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
A Catholic reflection and teaching helps on reverence and worship drawn from the Gospel.
Sacred Spaces (Lent 3B sermon) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church
An Anglican Sermons That Work homily on holy space and the meaning of the temple cleansing.
John 2 Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary covering the whole chapter.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
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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