Harmony Highlights 4
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Harmony Highlights 4
Based on the Concise Harmony of the Four Gospels
Notes: Biblical texts are from the King James Version. If no text is given, the event is not mentioned by that author. Reference links lead to alternate translations. Event numbers and locations match the Concise Harmony. Lowercase letters after references indicate a suggested priority or order.
Event #22: First Cleansing of the Temple.
Location: Judea (South)
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John 2:14-17 (Link to NIV)
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. 17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Event #158 Second Cleansing of the Temple.
Matthew 21:12-16a (Link to NIV)
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, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Mark 11:15-19b
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.
Luke 19:45-48c
45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; 46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. 47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
John
Events 22 and 158 Notes and Insights
When the Son of God angrily cleansed the temple, he was not merely ejecting some irreverent merchants. He was rebuking priestcraft and hypocrisy. During this era the Chief Priest (who controlled the temple) was appointed by the Romans, with the selection being influenced by bribery. When asked for a sign, Jesus cryptically said that when they killed him he would rise from the dead. Obviously, he knew that the chief priests were evil enough to kill anyone one who threatened their power, income, or status. (See Bible Dictionary under headings Annas, Caiaphas, and High Priest; Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus, 96-99 and 174-198; The Antiquities of the Jews, book 18, chapter 2, paragraph 2.
Study Questions
(1) What experience or insight have you had related to this event?
(2) What principle(s) does this event teach you?
(3) What do you love about this event, and why?
(4) How can you apply this event to your life?
© Copyright 2024 Gene Van Shaar