Font Size
Jesus made the customary Jewish pilgrimage to Jerusalem for a Passover Feast, the first of three mentioned in John (v.13; 6:4; 11:55). He opened his ministry there by driving the money changers and animal traders from the outer court of the temple. Their activity there was doubtless intended as a convenience for pilgrims, who needed animals for sacrifice and currency conversion. Jewish law required the annual temple poll tax to be paid in Tyrian coinage, noted for its silver content. Perhaps there were abuses of the system, but Jesus' primary concern (v.16) was that the trading activity was inimical to worship, the true purpose of the temple. The quotation from Ps 69:9, based on reflection by the disciples but cited approvingly by the author (v.17), underscores the messianic significance of this deed.
The Jewish leaders, understandably troubled by what Jesus had done, asked him for a miraculous sign confirming his authority to do it (v.18). His reply is worked out in 2:19-22 in a pattern typical of this gospel. It is stated (v.19), misunderstood (v.20), and then explained more fully (vv.21-22). Jesus used the temple, at that moment present to all minds, as a prophetic symbol of his coming death and resurrection. The Jews overlooked the symbolic aspect and heard only a reference to the temple itself, begun by Herod in 20/19 b.c. but not completed until ca. a.d. 63 and not yet finished at the time of Jesus' ministry.
The disciples recalled this event and came to understanding and fuller belief after the Resurrection (v.22). Many others believed in Jesus as a result of the miraculous signs (see the comment on v.11) that Jesus did at the Passover Feast (v.23). What they were, apart from his action in the temple, is not specified.