Topical Bible: Jesus, the Christ: Enters the Temple (In Jerusalem)

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The event of Jesus entering the Temple in Jerusalem is a significant moment in the New Testament, highlighting His authority and fulfilling prophetic scripture. This event is recorded in all four Gospels, underscoring its importance in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Account:

The entry of Jesus into the Temple is most notably described in the Gospel of Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-46, and John 2:13-16. According to these accounts, Jesus enters the Temple courts and finds people buying and selling goods, as well as money changers conducting business. In a display of righteous indignation, Jesus overturns the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. He declares, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers'" (Matthew 21:13).

Theological Significance:

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' actions in the Temple fulfill Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's zeal for God's house. Psalm 69:9, "For zeal for Your house has consumed me," is often associated with this event, indicating Jesus' deep commitment to the sanctity of worship.

2. Authority of Jesus: By cleansing the Temple, Jesus asserts His authority over religious practices and institutions. This act challenges the existing religious order and underscores His role as the Messiah who purifies and restores true worship.

3. Judgment and Purification: The cleansing of the Temple serves as a symbolic act of judgment against corrupt practices and a call to purity in worship. It reflects Jesus' mission to purify the hearts of believers and establish a new covenant relationship with God.

4. Foreshadowing of His Sacrifice: The timing of this event, occurring near the Passover, foreshadows Jesus' ultimate sacrifice as the Lamb of God. Just as the Temple was cleansed, Jesus' death and resurrection would provide a way for humanity to be cleansed from sin.

Historical Context:

The Temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life, where sacrifices were offered, and festivals were celebrated. The presence of money changers and merchants was a practical necessity for pilgrims who traveled to Jerusalem, but it had become a source of exploitation and distraction from genuine worship. Jesus' actions highlight the tension between religious practices and the heart of true worship.

Impact and Legacy:

The cleansing of the Temple is a pivotal moment that intensifies the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders, ultimately leading to His arrest and crucifixion. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need for sincerity and reverence in worship and the transformative power of Jesus' ministry.

In conclusion, Jesus' entry into the Temple and His subsequent actions are a profound demonstration of His messianic authority and His commitment to restoring true worship. This event continues to inspire believers to seek purity in their relationship with God and to uphold the sanctity of worship in their lives.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 21:12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
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Mark 11:11
And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about on all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
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Luke 19:45
And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
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Library

Christ Cleansing the Temple
... if Jesus Christ had not thus come, over and over again, to ... world out of my heart
is to have Christ filling it ... He will come, and when He enters, it will be like ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/christ cleansing the temple.htm

Various views of Heracleon on Purging of the Temple.
... into which none but the High-Priest enters, and there I ... To this house of the Father
of Jesus, as being the house of prayer, the Apostles of Christ also, as ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/19 various views of heracleon.htm

General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
... many of the earlier incidents of Christ's life, he enters upon the ... as yet only "at
hand." Until the crucifixion of Christ and the ... The miracles of Jesus and the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvii general account of jesus.htm

Epistle Xlvi. To Isacius, Bishop of Jerusalem .
... with love of God and his neighbour, holds firmly the faith which is in Christ, he
has laid the same Jesus Christ, Son of ... And he enters by Christ who thinks ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xlvi to isacius bishop.htm

Jesus at Bethesda.
... Jesus enters the Jewish temple (chapter 2:4). His words can ... Christ never worked his
miracles for popular applause or ... Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus at bethesda.htm

The Dedication
... it back to its mother, he inscribed the name "Jesus" on the ... not see death, before
he had seen the Lord's Christ.". As Simeon enters the temple, he sees a family ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 5 the dedication.htm

Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... in the apostle: for you are the temple of the ... the same in a bad part: death enters
through your ... to God who gives us victory through our lord Jesus Christ. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book ix on jerusalem and.htm

The First Day in Passion-Week - Palm-Sunday - the Royal Entry into ...
... 5076] although, as being offered to Christ alone, and ... is Israel's Messiah-King, but:
This is Jesus the Prophet ... is not so, that an earthly King enters His City ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the first day.htm

Detaining Christ
... Lastly, the text reminds us that Jesus Christ is glad to be forced. ... gaping and the
doorway be unfilled by the meek presence of the Christ that enters in. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/detaining christ.htm

The Person and Work of the Substitute
... Jesus died ... go down to the depths of the earth for it; that would say that Christ
had never ... It is as near as is the word concerning it, which enters into our ears ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter vi the person and.htm