International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8 LESSON X.—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1894.
JESUS CLEANSING THE TEMPLE.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] - And the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
- And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting;
- And he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables;
- And to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.
- His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house shall eat me up.
- The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
- Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
- The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?
- But he spake of the temple of his body.
- When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
- Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did.
- But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men.
- And because he needed not that anyone should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
Golden Text: "Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise." John 2: 16. NOTE.—This was the beginning of the first full year in Christ's ministry. This evidently occurred in the year A. D. 28. It might be well to compare it with a similar cleansing of the temple recorded in Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19. Previous to this he had visited Capernaum, and then returned to Jerusalem for the Passover. - At the time of the Passover, where did Jesus go?
- What did he find in the temple? Note 1.
- What did he make? Verse 15. Note 2.
- What did he do?
- What words did he speak to them?
- What did this recall to his disciples?
- When the Jews recovered from their fright, what did they ask him? Verse 18.
- What reply did Jesus make? Verse 19. Note 3.
- How did they express their astonishment? Verse 20.
- Of what did Christ truly speak?
- When were these words of Jesus again recalled to the disciples' mind? Verse 22.
- How did his works here affect those who were open to evidence? Verse 23.
- Did Jesus design to reveal himself at this time as the Messiah? Verse 24.
- Why did he not need the testimony of men? Verse 25. Note 4.
1. In the temple.—Not merely in the central building, but in the surrounding courts, including the court of the Gentiles. Animals used in sacrifice were slain in great numbers during the time of the Passover. The Jews had taken advantage of this, and had set up their markets right in the temple courts; and not only that, but they were evidently driving sharp, hard bargains there as they would in any earthly merchandise. As our Saviour said to them, they made it a den of thieves. That indicates the spirit with which the work was carried on. The place that should have been given to reverent, holy conversation and worship of God, was given up to trafficking and trading, and all the various incidents connected with such things. Evidently there was wrangling, and bitter words, and reckless oaths. We have a parallel to this in the churches of the Dark Ages, and in the church fairs and festivals which are now held; and we can just as well believe that if Christ were here now, there are many churches from which he would drive with a scourge of cords those who make the house dedicated to his service a place of merchandise. 2. Evidently he twisted together some of the cords lying upon the ground, and began to drive out the merchants. He probably did not strike any of them. It was his own bearing which gave them terror. "Jesus ascended the steps of the temple, and surveyed the scene with a calm and dignified look. He saw and heard the traffic and bartering. His expression became stern and terrible. The eyes of many turned instinctively to look at this stranger; their gaze became riveted upon him. Others followed their example till the whole multitude were regarding him with a look of mingled fear and amazement. They felt instinctively that this man read their inmost thoughts and their hidden motives of action. . . . The confusion was hushed. The sound of traffic and bargaining ceased. The silence became painful. A sense of awe overpowered the entire assembly. It was as if they were arraigned before the tribunal of God to answer for their deeds. The Majesty of heaven stood as the Judge will stand at the last day, and every one of that vast crowd for the time acknowledged him their Master. . . . He spoke, and his clear, ringing voice, echoing through the arches of the temple, was like the voice that shook Mount Sinai of old: "My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." He slowly descended the steps, and, raising the whip, which in his hand seemed changed to a kingly sceptre, bade the bargaining company to quit the sacred limits of the temple, and take hence their merchandise. With a lofty zeal, and a severity he had never before manifested, he overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the coin fell, ringing sharply upon the marble floor. The most hardened and defiant did not presume to question his authority, but, with prompt obedience, the dignitaries of the temple, the speculating priests, the cattle traders and brokers, rushed from his presence. The most avaricious did not stop to gather up their idolized money, but fled without a thought of their ill-gotten gains."—Great Controversy, vol. 2, pp. 117, 118. 3. "Jesus had already given them the strongest proof of his divine commission. He knew that no evidence he could present to them would convince them that he was the Messiah if his act of cleansing the temple had failed to do so. Therefore he answered their challenge with these words, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' They supposed he referred to the temple at Jerusalem, and were astounded at his apparent presumption. Their unbelieving minds were unable to discern that he referred to his own body, the earthly temple of the Son of God. With indignation they answered, 'Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?' Jesus did not design that the skeptical Jews should discover the hidden meaning of his words, nor even his disciples at that time. After his resurrection they called to mind these words he had uttered, and they then understood them correctly."—Great Controversy, vol. 2, pp. 121, 122. 4. Jesus did not trust himself to those who had nominally accepted him at that time. He did not need them; he did not need their witness. He knew that many of them were still false at heart. He did not need the testimony of any man, for he himself knew what was in the heart of man. The works which the Father gave him to do, and God's holy word, bore witness of him. These witnesses were sure, and he needed no other.