Why Does Jesus Get Angry In The Temple?

Why Does Jesus Get So Angry at the Temple?

We were reading through the book of John as a group in our youth group a few of years ago, and we were having an ongoing debate about it during our small group meetings at the time.During one of the discussions in my small group, one of the students raised an excellent question concerning the period when Jesus becomes upset at the Temple: ″This may seem like a silly question, but why does Jesus become so enraged in this passage?″ As a Christian who believes that Jesus never gets angry with people and that he loves everyone, I’m perplexed as to why he is so enraged with people here, but not anywhere else in the Bible.″ I informed her that her question was actually not a dumb one at all, since, as she pointed out, it appears to be a little out of character for Jesus based on what we know about him.Afterwards, I explained what I believed to her and encouraged her to conduct some study of her own in order to get some of her own conclusions, as well as providing her with some other resources.I responded to the two points she raised, which were as follows:

Why Jesus becomes enraged (despite the fact that he loves everyone)
Nowhere else in the Bible does Jesus appear to be enraged

In light of the fact that other people are likely to have similar questions, I thought I’d post a longer version of my response to her regarding why Jesus gets furious, as well as some other resources.

Why does Jesus get so angry at the Temple if he loves everyone?

I believe that Jesus becomes enraged as a result of his unconditional love for everyone.In this verse, Jesus shows what is known as ″righteous rage.″ He had a legitimate right to be enraged, since corruption and injustice were wreaking havoc on the lives of ordinary people.He did not, however, commit a transgression as a result of his rage.″Be enraged, but do not transgress; contemplate in your own minds on your beds, but do not talk about your feelings.″ In Psalm 4:4 (ESV), David says, ″Be enraged, but do not transgress; do not let the sun set on your wrath.″ Paul writes in Ephesians 4:26 that (ESV) ″This High Priest of ours knows our frailties since he went through all of the same trials and tribulations that we endure, yet he did not transgress.″ Hebrews 4:15 is a verse that states that (NLT)

Corruption and injustice

Because it was Passover, Jews from all over the world traveled to Jerusalem, where they were expected by custom and law to bring a sacrifice.Many people were unable to transport animals so far because of the expense, discomfort, and possibility that the animal may be harmed or ″blemished″ in some manner during the journey, rendering the animal unsuitable for sacrifice.As a result, when they arrived, they were required to purchase a sacrificed animal.Some historians believe that they would have sold an animal at home that they would have used as a sacrifice prior to arriving, and that they would have used the money from the sale to acquire a substitute animal for sacrifice using the money from the sale.People were taken advantage of and cheated out of their money in the scripture passage because the people selling the animals and doing money exchanges (just like we have to do when we travel out of the country and have to exchange our currency for the local currency) were overcharging and gouging them.

This reminds me of when a storm is approaching and the gas stations begin drastically overcharging and price-gouging for gas because they know people will need to purchase petrol in order to get out of town–basically, they are cheating and taking advantage of the situation.

The focus wasn’t on God in an area designated for worship

Even more disturbing, they were carrying out their activities INSIDE the temple courtyards, which would have crowded out and interrupted the religious services that were going place there during the Passover celebrations.With all of the trickery and marketing taking place in the temple courts, the emphasis was no longer on God.Jesus claimed that they had transformed a house of prayer into a den of thieves and referred to these individuals as robbers or thieves.“ ″The Scriptures promise that ‘My Temple will be designated a place of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves,″ he admonished them.According to Matthew 21:13 (New Living Translation), ″He told them, ‘The Scriptures say that My Temple would be designated a place of prayer for all nations,’ yet you have turned it into a den of thieves.″ ″He responded to them, ‘The Scriptures say that My Temple will be a place of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves,’″ Mark 11:17 (New Living Translation) ” He then went up to the folks who were selling doves and commanded them, ″Get these things out of here,″ according to Luke 19:46 (NLT).

Put an end to the practice of turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!″ John 2:16 (New International Version) (NLT) In response to evil conduct and injustice, Jesus becomes enraged.
People were being harmed and defrauded (perhaps even women and widows, according to Mark 12:40), and they had turned religion into a means of monetary gain.

Jesus isn’t angry “anywhere else in the Bible”—Actually, he WAS…

While it is true that Jesus was not enraged anyplace else in the Bible, he truly WAS enraged in a few other instances: In Mark 3:1-5, Jesus ″looked around angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts″
in Mark 3:6-8, Jesus ″looked around angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts″
in Mark 3:6-8, Jesus ″looked around angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts″
in Mark 3:6-8, Jesus ″looked around angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts″
in Mark 3
In John 11:33 and 38, the Bible states that Jesus was enraged (in fact, the Bible states that he was ″very enraged″), but that this rage was directed towards death.
According to Mark 10:13-16, Jesus was ″mad with his disciples″ and scolded them for their maltreatment of children who came to him as well as their impediment to youngsters coming to him (see also Luke 17:2).
As recorded in Matthew 23, Jesus expresses audible and verbal displeasure with the Pharisees, saying phrases such as ″woe to you″ and ″you hypocrites.″ He also refers to them as ″blind guides″ and ″fools,″ as well as ″you snakes, you brood of vipers.″
In Mark 11:12-14, Jesus becomes enraged with a fig tree because it isn’t producing fruit and curses it (basically expressing his displeasure with unfruitfulness—not doing what you’re supposed to do)
in Mark 11:15-16, Jesus is enraged with a fig tree because it isn’t producing fruit and curses it (basically expressing his displeasure with not doing what you’re supposed to do)
and in Mark 11:
After that, we can witness Jesus disciplining his disciples and followers on a number of different occasions.

So he DID become enraged on a number of times, but the important thing to remember is that he was enraged but never sinned (Hebrews 4:15, Ephesians 4:26). Jesus became enraged for the appropriate reasons, but he never acted in a cruel or nasty manner.

Even though Jesus gets angry, he still maintains self-control

Even at the temple, he only drove the people and animals out without harming them or causing any destruction to the structure.Take note of the fact that he did not allow the doves to leave their cages in the passage.Because the owners would not have been able to collect them if he had done so, he was still courteous even as he was driving them away from the scene.He also didn’t damage, throw away, or steal the money from the money exchangers, as others have claimed.According to the passage, he just toppled the tables.

He kept his self-control and did not engage in destructive or dangerous behavior.
It is also clear that Jesus did not do these things on the spur of the moment, as evidenced by the fact that he took the time to manufacture a whip out of cords in John 2:15.

Additional References/Resources on this passage:

Here’s a fantastic YouTube video that explains everything: Also, go here to read a fantastic essay by Matthew Henry on the subject.

Righteous anger

There are legitimate reasons to get enraged from time to time.Anger is a typical feeling to experience.It is not a sin to do so.Our response to our anger is important, and how we respond to our anger may be displeasure to God and detrimental to ourselves, particularly if we allow anger to govern and dictate our ideas, choices, actions, and behaviors.As a result, while anger is not in and of itself a sin, it has the potential to cause us to sin.

Does that make sense?
The sort of fury that leads to sin is referred to in the Bible as ″human rage.″ ″Human rage does not result in the righteousness that God seeks,″ says the author.
James 1:20 (NIV) (NLT) However, there is a legitimate sense of outrage.
It is acceptable to get enraged when injustice, corruption, maltreatment of others, and a variety of other issues occur.

We SHOULD be enraged by these events, and we SHOULD.

Both Jesus and God demonstrated righteous anger as well as demonstrated in the previous examples stated and in the following scriptures:

″God is a just and fair judge.Every day, he is filled with rage against the wicked.″ ″They even sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire,″ says Psalm 7:11 (New Living Translation).They sought the advice of fortune tellers, practiced magic, and sold themselves to the forces of evil, provoking the LORD’s wrath.Israel was carried away from the sight of the LORD because the LORD was extremely displeased with them.The tribe of Judah was the only one who stayed in the land.″ ″The LORD is a jealous and vengeful God; the LORD exacts vengeance and is full with anger,″ says 2 Kings 17:17-18 (New Living Translation).

″The LORD exacts vengeance on his adversaries and pours out his fury on his adversaries.″ ″However, God expresses his wrath from heaven against all sinful, evil people who suppress the truth by their wickedness,″ says Nahum 1:2 (NIV).
″And Jesus looked around at them with rage, distressed at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, ″Stretch out your hand,″ according to the New Living Translation.″ Then he extended it out, and his hand was back to normal.″ Jesus was profoundly upset when he witnessed her sobbing as well as the other people who were weeping beside her.
Mark 3:5 (ESV) ″When Jesus witnessed her weeping and observed the other people weeping with her, a great rage welled up within him,″ and he was ″much agitated.″ ″Jesus was still enraged when he came at the tomb, which was a cave with a stone thrown over its entrance,″ according to John 11:33 (New Living Translation).
″Jesus entered the Temple and proceeded to drive out all of the individuals who were buying and selling animals for sacrifice,″ according to John 11:38 (New Living Translation).

He threw the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves to the ground.″ Matthew 21:12 (KJV) (NLT)

Take Some Practical Steps to Learn From Jesus Getting Angry:

First, understand WHY Jesus gets angry. Know that it was righteous anger, not wrong in any way and that he did not sin.

Secondly, follow Jesus’ example. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having righteous anger. Just do not sin in your anger.

Certain things, especially those that do harm to others, SHOULD make you angry, but they SHOULDN’T.Anger is only a state of mind.All you have to do is resist engaging in the unpleasant actions that anger may drive your human nature to engage in.Stand up to those things in the same way that Jesus did, without sinning or injuring anybody, and preserve self-control in the same way that Jesus did.″Be enraged but do not transgress; do not let the sun to set on your wrath.″ Paul writes in Ephesians 4:26 that (ESV)

Next, don’t evoke the righteous anger of God.

Don’t take advantage of or deceive other individuals. Additionally, avoid being a stumbling block or causing a disruption in others’ worship of and/or walk with the Lord.

Finally, if you have been dealing with some of your own anger consider reading these other helpful posts on dealing with your own anger:

There are four things you can do with your rage. Scriptures on the Feeling of Anger

Does it surprise you that Jesus gets angry? How do you handle your own righteous anger? Share with us by leaving a comment below.

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″Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.″ ″Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,″ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (New International Version) **Originally published on October 19, 2019**

Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-25)

Isn’t it true that JESUS appears to be enraged in this picture?Do you have any idea why he is so enraged?This is due to the fact that these folks at God’s temple in Jerusalem are extremely greedy.They are attempting to earn a large amount of money off of the individuals who have come to worship God here in this place.See all of the young bulls and lambs and doves out in the pasture?

The males, on the other hand, are selling these animals right here in front of the shrine.
Do you have any idea why?
This is due to the fact that the Israelites require animals and birds to offer as sacrifices to God.
According to God’s commandment, when an Israelite committed anything wrong, he was required to give a sacrifice to God.

There were several other occasions when the Israelites were required to make sacrifices.The question is, where would an Israelite go to obtain birds and animals to sacrifice to God?Some Israelites kept birds and other animals as pets.

As a result, they may provide these.
Many Israelites, on the other hand, did not possess any animals or birds.
Others lived so far away from Jerusalem that they were unable to carry even one of their animals to the temple to be sacrificed.
As a result, people traveled to this location and purchased the animals or birds they need.
However, these men were charging much too much money to the general public.

They were taking advantage of the people.
Furthermore, they should not be selling right here in God’s house of worship.— This is what causes Jesus to become enraged.
Consequently, he flips the money-laden men’s tables upside down and distributes their coins on the floor.
In addition, he fashions a whip out of cords and uses it to drive all of the animals from the temple.
‘Get those doves out of here!’ he orders the men who are selling them.’ Put an end to your attempts to turn my Father’s house into a moneymaking machine.’ Some of Jesus’ supporters are there with him here at the Temple in Jerusalem, according to tradition.
It takes them by surprise what they witness Jesus performing.

It is at this point that they recall a passage from the Bible in which it is stated of God’s Son: ‘Love for God’s home will burn in him like fire.’ While Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration, he performs a number of miracles.After that, Jesus departs from Judea and begins his journey back to Galilee, where he was born.However, he passes through the area of Samaria on his route there.Let’s see what occurs in such situation.

Why Did Jesus Get Angry and Flip Tables?

The temple courts were full with individuals selling animals, lambs, and doves, as well as people sitting at tables trading money.Thus, using ropes, he whipped everyone from the temple courtyards, including animals and oxen; he dispersed the coins of the money changers and threw their tables to the ground.John 2:14-15 (KJV) Please bear with me as I quote some nonsense.″Jesus turned the tables on you to demonstrate that He would not put up with your nonsense!Don’t want to repent?

That is exactly what you will receive!″ ″Jesus was filled with righteous rage because you were attempting to make money!
That’s why He flipped the script on us!″ ″You are not permitted to sell items or coffee in your church!″ You have the audacity to say that!
″Christ would come in here and turn everything upside down!″ ″Jesus flipped the script to demonstrate that He was no pushover!
And so, whoop, your, butt!″ I’m going to do the same thing.

The thought of penning such crap makes my stomach flip a little.When it comes to Jesus being enraged, I’ve heard it all: he whipped people, flipped tables, and drove them out of the temple courts.Immature individuals who don’t grasp the New Covenant, insist on the Old Covenant, and demonstrate a lack of self-control will turn to Jesus turning the table whenever they seek an excuse to be a jerk.

This part of the Bible will be highlighted and taken out of context, with the question ″What would Jesus do?!
You know what he’d do?
He’d take a swing at your skull!″ He wouldn’t do that, my friend.
He’s courting unbelievers on this side of the Cross, not attempting to bring them suffering, and He never tried to cause them agony on the other side of the Cross.
Jesus doesn’t inflict misfortune on a person and then fly over to the other side of the disaster to console them, as some people believe.

What a terrifying creature He would be.
It’s bad enough that this world is full with problems.
His mission was not to add to our misery, but rather to save us from it.
So, what is the right historical background for Jesus Christ’s deeds on that particular day?
Is it possible that He went mad because they were gambling, price gouging, or conducting commerce on sacred ground?
The truth is as follows: His actions were in defense of you and me, my beloved Gentile.

Non-Jews were only permitted to enter this one portion of the temple.We weren’t permitted to go anyplace else for prayer except for this tiny location where we were being held.It is understood that the Gentiles who came to this section of the temple courts believed in Yahweh–the God of the Jews–but that they were aware that they were not a part of their Covenant.They didn’t follow Moses out of Egypt, they didn’t tread through the mud at the bottom of the sea, and they didn’t pledge God that they would keep every commandment in the Book of the Law (see Exodus 19:8, 24:3).Despite everything, they maintained their faith in God.They had trust in what they were doing.

Throughout history, faith has always justified a person, rather than the law, but that is a topic for another day (see Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38).Jesus knew this one small part of the temple gave them hope.Jesus knew that many Gentiles who were saved by faith went there to pray.It was a place of prayer for them; a geographic area of consolation, of desire for something greater than being rejected because of their race.The promise God made to Abraham before Israel was even formed, this area of the temple was specifically designed for that promise (see Genesis 22:15-18).(see Genesis 22:15-18).

Jesus saw what the Jews had done by desecrating this zone of the promise for the Gentiles to be saved!
They cared nothing about the Abrahamic promise and He was hot!
The promise God made to Abraham, that he would be the father of many nations through Abraham’s seed (Jesus)–not just the nation of Israel–was being snuffed out by money-hungry bigots!
(See Galatians 3:29).
Just look at what Jesus said to these fools who were cashing in on the Law of Moses by setting up shop in the Gentiles’ section of the temple: And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations‘?

But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Mark 11:17) Christ was quoting two of their own prophets from their own scriptures–Jeremiah and Isaiah!I could picture Him yelling at them: “ALL NATIONS!AAAAAAAAAAAALL NATIOOOOOOOONS!NOT JUST YOURS!” He was mad.Very mad.His own people, their own sacred writings which foretold about God including the Gentiles too, they were stomping on that.

They would rather make money off the need for animals than realize Jesus would remove that need forever in Himself which would bring in everyone (see Hebrews 10:4,10-14, John 1:29, 19:30, Galatians 3:28).(see Hebrews 10:4,10-14, John 1:29, 19:30, Galatians 3:28).So today, my friends, know this: Jesus got angry and flipped tables because He was passionate about including all nations in with His family, not just the Jews who believed.

Not one time in the Bible does Jesus get mad at a Gentile who reached out to Him.He only got mad at the legalists who refused to include us.They wanted religion but Jesus wanted relationship.Christ got livid when this promise was ignored.He’s still passionate about this very promise, today.Through you and I, dear Christian, He’s still reaching out to everyone who has not yet believed.

Keep being yourself.You are fulfilling the original promise of God, to include the entire world in His family, by grace through faith.A prayer for you: Dad, thank you for giving me the right to call you Dad.I had an enraged person email me the other day, irate about the fact that I call you Dad.But that’s what you are.You’re my Dad.

You’re my Father.
You’re Abba.
I love you so much and I’m so happy you gave me the right to be your son, even as a Gentile.

Right now, I lift up all who are reading this, directly to you.So many of these dear readers have the wrong idea about you.Because of people who’ve misrepresented you they’ve believed the lie that you’re furious, yet you’re not.

All your fury was placed on Christ at the Cross.
Instead, you’re enthusiastic about including all nations, all people groups, and every ethnicity in heaven.
Keep using our hands, feet, and mouths to accomplish this amazing feat.

We’re honored, Dad.
Amen.
This devotional is from The Christian Identity, Volume 3.
Get your copy here!

John 2:13-25 – Why Did Jesus Attack the Money Changers?

What was the purpose of the money changers in the Temple?Pastors frequently claim that these individuals were earning an exorbitant profit by selling sacrifices in the Temple, in the same way that vendors at an airport or sports venue conduct their business.Because they had a captive market, they were able to raise prices as much as they wanted.″There is no indication that the animal traders and money changers, or the ecclesiastical officials who permitted them to use the outside court, were corrupt collaborators in corruption,″ according to the report (Carson, John, 179).According to the Synoptic gospels (Matt 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, and Luke 19:45-46), the Temple is a ″den of thieves,″ yet that is not the allegation here.

Because of their excessive profiteering, Jesus quotes Scripture to criticize the merchants in the Temple courts, yet this is not the reason for his condemnation.
v refers to the entire Temple complex in John 2:14-15, whereas v refers to the Temple structure in John 2:19, and both terms relate to the entire Temple complex.
The vendors are not considered to be ″in the Temple″ since they would have no access to the rest of the complex beyond the Court of the Men.
Selling was only permitted in the court of the Gentiles, which covered a far greater geographical region.

As a result, Köstenberger thinks that the primary reason for Jesus’ attack on the merchants was because they were encroaching on the sole part of the Temple where the Gentiles might worship (Köstenberger, John, page 106).I’m not sure how many Gentiles came to worship during Passover, and I’m not sure if the vendors filled up the full space.The Court of the Gentiles measured 300 450 meters (slightly less than 1000 1500 ft for the American reader), which was roughly the size of four football fields.

Was the entire area a massive flea market of some sort?
This appears to be implausible, despite the fact that the location would have been quite packed during Passover.
Jesus causes a commotion among the merchants by toppling tables and chasing away animals.
His use of the word, which is generally connected with the pouring out of blood during a sacrifice, allows him to ″pour out″ the cash (in the LXX, Exod 25:6, for example).
For example, in Romans 3:15, Christ’s blood is poured out for us, yet in Acts 2:17-18, 33, and Titus 3:16, the Holy Spirit is ″poured out″ on God’s people, respectively.

He whips the animals out of the courtroom with a whip of his own.
Because firearms were not permitted in the Temple courts, this is a makeshift whip, as dictated by the Temple officials.
The whip was used to drive animals, not merchants, according to Jesus.
According to Raymond Brown, Jesus constructed the whip out of rushes that were used for bedding animals.
In his denunciation of the merchants in the Temple, Jesus makes multiple allusions to passages from the Hebrew Bible in order to justify his conduct (Zech 14:21, Mal 3:1, 3, Psa 69:9).
During his explanation of his furious response and the subsequent contamination, Jesus quotes Psalm 69:9, ″zeal for the temple of the Lord.″ This page on the meaning of zeal in the New Testament provides more information.) The connection to Zech 14:21 is a little more subtle this time.

The Temple will either be rebuilt or purified in the impending eschatological era, and there will be no need for ″merchants″ in that time period.A number of considerations are necessary in order to comprehend Jesus’ connection to this passage.First and foremost, Zechariah envisions the future restored Temple rather than the current ″second Temple.″ It is expected that all of the nations will gather in Jerusalem to worship the Lord.Another possibility is that in Zechariah 14:21 the term ″merchants″ might be interpreted as ″Canaanites″ (as in the NIV 2011, but not the ESV).The term Canaanite means ″trader,″ and given the context of the scripture, it is probable that the original idea was that there will be no need to sell sacrifice animals because every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be as pure as the Temple Mount.Third, this is the final line of Zechariah’s prophesy; it is the ″climax″ of his prophecy of the coming ideal age, and it is the final line of his prophecy of the coming ideal era.

Malachi 3:1-3 is not far off from this passage in the Hebrew Bible in terms of canonical relationship.This reference to these lines signals the beginning of the Messiah’s new era, which Jesus is heralding.The vendors are required to vacate the Temple since the moment is approaching when they will no longer be required.These sacrifices will become obsolete because of Jesus’ deed at (a future) Passover, which will remove the problem of sin.Instead than criticizing the Temple or the sacrifice system with this complaint, Jesus was looking forward to a future time when the Temple will be finally cleaned, and when all of Jerusalem, Judah, and the surrounding region would become “Holy unto the Lord.” The Temple authority was the target of this lawsuit because it permitted (and presumably benefitted) from business activities in the Temple courts.If I am correct, Jesus’ activities are comparable to those described in Jeremiah 7.

The prophet expresses his displeasure at a harmful misinterpretation of the Temple.
As with Jeremiah, the nobility of the Temple in Jerusalem would pay special attention to Jesus, seeing him as a potential challenge to the major emblem of Jewish faith in the first century AD.
Is there, however, a monetary benefit to this protest?
Is there anything Jesus has to say about the usage and misuse of money in the Temple, other from the religious symbolism that surrounds it?
Is it still relevant now to denounce money changers in the Temple, given Jesus’ denunciation of them?

6 Things That Made Jesus Mad

DISCLAIMER: This post may include affiliate links, which means that if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on one of my links, I will receive a tiny compensation.This service is provided at no charge to you and is essential in keeping Rethink up and running.Many of us have this image of Jesus as a docile white person who speaks in low tones and who, for some reason, is constantly holding a sheep.This is a common representation of Jesus.On a number of levels, that picture is incorrect.

Moreover, maybe the most serious error we could make is to see Jesus as a mild-mannered gentleman who never raised his voice in anger.
That was not the person who claimed to be Jesus.
On several times, he became enraged.
The issue we must ask ourselves is: what was it that caused Jesus so enraged?

As followers of Christ, we should be enraged by the same things that made Jesus furious.Another article you might be interested in is 6 Things Jesus Never Said (but Christians Believe)

Righteous Anger

We’ll get to the bottom of what got Jesus so enraged in a minute.First and foremost, I’d like to address righteous indignation.Anger is frequently regarded as a negative feeling, even as a sin.However, our anger is not the problem; rather, it is what we do with our anger that decides whether or not we sin (Ephesians 4:26).In truth, there are things in this world that should cause us to be enraged at times.

We should be appalled by the inequalities, violence, greed, poverty, and death that are pervasive in our society today, and we should take action.
That should elicit strong feelings of resentment in us since it is just not proper.
That rage is healthy; it is a healthy and just indignation.
It’s the same kind of rage that God has when he sees the wickedness that has become so rampant across the earth.

What Made Jesus Mad

When we examine what caused Jesus to become enraged, I would encourage us to resist the temptation to point the blame.It’s quite simple to understand how those individuals did something that caused Jesus to become enraged, but it’s far more difficult to recognize it in ourselves.Take a good look at yourself in the mirror instead of pointing a finger.All right, let’s get started…Here’s what it was that made Jesus enraged.

1. The Human Condition

Humanity exists in a condition of disarray, in a planet that has fallen.That shouldn’t come as a surprise because the proof is all around us.Thousands of children are starving, thousands are dying, broken families are widespread, mental health problems abound, war is common, and there is sorrow and instability in almost every corner of the world.We are not in good shape.And Jesus was enraged as a result.

This isn’t the kind of fury that would result in striking a wall.
And it’s likely that it wasn’t even the most important emotion he was experiencing.
His answer, on the other hand, is filled with rage.
One of the best examples of this is seen in John 11:35, which is the shortest verse in the Bible: ″Jesus wept.″ Jesus was overtaken by the human predicament, particularly by the loss of a friend, to the point that he cried.

I believe that at this point in time, Jesus is reacting to the fallen state of his followers.He is distressed by the fact that those he cares about are in discomfort.He was not filled with emotion as a result of the death of a buddy.

What caused Jesus to weep?
He does it because he has empathy for his people.
Jesus is moved by empathy, yet his response is one of rage.
Lazarus was called out by Jesus in John 11:38, who was extremely touched and begged for him to come out.
Jesus was enraged at the state of human affairs.

That’s the short version of the tale; you may learn more about this experience by visiting this link: Why Did Jesus Weep?
(and why we should too) In addition, you may be asking why God permits us to live in such a harsh environment.
The short response is that sin exists.
The fuller explanation may be found here: What Is Sin?
and Why Does God Allow Suffering to Take Place?
What was it that made Jesus enraged?

Because Jesus has empathy for our predicament, he is said to as the human condition.

2. Rules Being Placed Over People

Religious leaders in Jesus’ day tended to place a higher importance on conformity to the law than on caring for people, which was contrary to God’s intent.The rules that God set were intended to assist his people in maintaining a proper relationship with him and with others.In the effort of following the law, the essence of the law was lost in the process.In other words, they were so preoccupied with strictly adhering to the rules that they failed to see the bigger picture of what the regulations were meant to lead to.And, let’s be honest, we’re not much better off today, aren’t we?

Jesus was constantly breaking the restrictions that had been established by the religious authorities.
Please understand that Jesus did not violate the law that had been established by God.
Instead, he violated the additional norms that religious leaders had set in place to preserve the law, which enraged a large number of people.
The healing of Jesus on the Sabbath is perhaps the most famous case (Matthew 12:10, Luke 13:10-17, Luke 6:7, John 9:16).

That was considered a no-no by the religious authorities since you were meant to be resting.This approach was challenged by Jesus, who demonstrated that people were more important than things.For the sake of demonstrating his seriousness, Christ cured individuals directly in front of the Pharisees.

What was it that made Jesus enraged?
People were barred from approaching him because of the rules.

3. Kids Being Pushed Aside

When it came to children, Jesus had a soft spot in his heart.For those who mistreat children, he pledges justice, argues that you must be like a child in order to join his kingdom, and has always made place for children (Mark 9:36-37, Matthew 18:14, Luke 9:47-48).One day, the disciples attempted to reprimand Jesus for the amount of time he was devoting to children…That was a big error.Despite the opposition, Jesus argued that children had a right to a place in the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 19:13-14).

We are prone to pushing children to the side, but Jesus never did.
Normally, I’m not the most emotional person in the world, but after having a child of my own, I’ve found myself becoming immensely more emotional about everything that has to do with children.
When I watch a story of an ill, mistreated, or neglected child, it’s difficult for me to keep my tears from streaming down my face.
That’s how I envision God’s heart to be like.

I think God is greatly stirred whenever a kid is sick, injured, in pain, lonely, abandoned, hungry, abused, or the truth is disclosed about him or her, and I believe this is true.That is something we can see in Jesus when he walked the planet.He adores children and cannot bear the thought of them being harmed.

What was it that made Jesus enraged?
Children are being pushed to the side.

4. Self-Righteous Judgmentalism (Religious Phonies)

A unique place in Jesus’ heart belonged to little children.For those who mistreat children, he pledges justice, argues that you must be like a child in order to join his kingdom, and has always created space for children (Mark 9:36-37, Matthew 18:14, Luke 9:47-48).They attempted to reprimand Jesus for the amount of time he spent with children at one point…Unforgivable blunder Despite the opposition, Jesus argued that children had a right to a place in God’s Kingdom (Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 19:13-14).We are prone to ignoring children, but Jesus was never one to do so!

I’m not the most emotional person in the world, but after having a child of my own, I’ve noticed that I’m immensely more emotional about everything that has to do with children than before.
Whenever I read about an ill, mistreated, or neglected youngster, it’s difficult for me to keep it together.
God’s heart, I believe, is like that.
I think God is greatly touched whenever a kid is sick, injured, in pain, lonely, abandoned, hungry, or is subjected to abuse or deception.

When Jesus walked on this world, we could see it in him.It breaks his heart to watch children in pain, and he can’t bear to see them in pain.How did Jesus get so worked up?

Disregard towards children is shown.

5. Making It Difficult For People To Get To God

This one and the previous one go hand in hand with each other.The reason Jesus was frequently enraged by religious charlatans was because they made it difficult for people to reach God.They compelled people to follow intricate rules, sold sacrifices for a fee, and denigrated anyone who weren’t as ″good″ as they claimed to be.All of this was done in order for them to appear and feel better about themselves.Listen, let us refrain from pointing fingers.

This is something we do all the time in our heads and behind other people’s backs.
We demolish others in order to improve our own image.
We’re not much better.
Jesus was enraged by this attitude.

This is eventually what prompted Jesus to turn the tables on the priests twice in the temple (John 2:13-17, Matthew 21:12-17).Essentially, religious leaders were profiting on the sacrifices demanded by God’s mandate, which they were selling for a profit.In other words, poor families who went long distances and at considerable expense in order to keep God’s commandment were extorted when they should have been supported instead.

That enraged Jesus to no end.
This is the scene in which we witness Jesus at his most enraged.
He whips them out of the room with his whip.
Why?
Because they were intentionally making it more difficult for individuals to reach God in order to make a few extra dollars.

Do you want to enrage Jesus?
Keep him away from the people he cares about (which includes everyone, by the way).
What was it that made Jesus enraged?
People who made it more difficult to come to God were called onts.

6. Selfish Ambition

Once again, this one builds on the prior one, but I believe there is a significant contrast between the two.When individuals acted with hidden motivations or selfish desires, Jesus was frequently enraged.His criticism of the Pharisees for praying in public (Matthew 6:5) is based on the fact that they were doing so for their personal benefit.The widow’s pennies, he once commented, were preferable than the big bags of money from the Pharisees.He was right (Mark 12:41-44).

He was chastising the Pharisees because they were unconcerned about the motives of those who gave.
It was all a ruse, and Jesus was furious about it.
We have a tendency to think of God as a police officer.
He just wants us to follow the law, and if we don’t, he will come after us.

However, he is not primarily interested in servile people who just follow him blindly.Having a bond with his people is something he is interested in.He is after our hearts.

Frequently, what occurs is that we fail to recognize that the laws are in place to draw us closer to God.
This mentality may be shown in Jesus’ actions.
He was able to see through the pretenses that individuals put up.
They were carrying out the correct things, but they were doing so for the wrong reasons.
Jesus was more concerned with what was going on in their hearts than he was with what they were putting on the outside.

What was it that made Jesus enraged?
People who were doing the right thing for their own selfish gain were doing so.

Closing Thoughts

Similarly to the prior one, I believe there is an essential contrast between the two. When individuals acted with hidden motivations or selfish desires, Jesus became enraged on a frequent occasion. When the Pharisees pray loudly in public (Matthew 6:5), Christ criticizes them, saying that they were doing it for their own advantage. The widow’s pennies, he once commented, were preferable than the big bags of money from the Pharisees (Mark 12:41-44). Specifically, Jesus was chastising the Pharisees for their lack of concern for the true motives of donating. That enraged Jesus because he thought it was all for show. We have a natural tendency to think of God as a policeman. He just wants us to follow the law, and if we fail to do so, he will take us to court to gain what he desires. In reality, he isn’t looking for docile people who will just follow him without question. Having a bond with his people is something he is enthusiastic about. He’s for our affections and our trust. Sometimes we forget that the rules are intended to draw us closer to him, which is a common occurrence. This mentality may be seen in Jesus’ actions and teachings. Everyone’s facades were visible to him since he was a clairvoyant. It was the appropriate activities that they were taking, but it was the wrong motivation. Instead than focusing on their external appearance, Jesus was more concerned with what was going on within them. How did Jesus get so worked up? For selfish motives, some people were attempting to do the right thing.

Husband. Father. Pastor. Church Planter is a title that means ″one who plants churches.″ Writer. Every day, I’m attempting to be more like Jesus. Follow Me on Social Media: Facebook Send Me an Email: Send Me an Email Jeffery Curtis Poor’s most recent blog posts (See all of them)

Jesus Got Angry and Trashed the Temple

When you attend Mass on the 8th and 9th of November, you will hear the Gospel reading from the time when Jesus became so enraged that he demolished the Temple.He fashioned a whip out of cords and used it to drive all of the sheep and oxen out of the region in question.Afterwards, He threw the moneychangers’ tables to the ground, scattering their coins in every way.Briefly put: He made an absolute mess of the premises.″Shame, shame,″ some people exclaim when they think of this occurrence.

By becoming enraged and refusing to forgive the moneychangers, Jesus disobeyed His own teachings about forgiveness.
It seemed like he had lost his calm, didn’t it?″ Others, on the other hand, see this as proof that it is OK for us to become enraged, and even to resort to violence when required, in order to carry out God’s instructions.
Both points of view, it turns out, are incorrect.
Anger is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, and St.

Paul makes it plain in his epistle to the Galatians that ″outbursts of rage″ are a natural consequence of our wicked state of being.So, what really is the situation?Is it possible that Jesus gave in to His sinful nature when He became enraged in the Temple, or was it something else?

First and foremost, we must recognize that Jesus did not possess a sinful nature.
Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and my mother are the only three innocent humans who have ever existed in history.
When it comes to ″righteous wrath,″ there is a small line between it and ″self-righteous rage.″ Jesus’ rage was entirely justified in the eyes of the law.
That group of businessmen was making a mockery of God’s sanctified sanctuary.
In doing so, they took advantage of the true trust of the general public.

Due to their avaricious nature, they required worshippers to spend exorbitant quantities of money in order to have their worship ceremonies recognized as ″legitimate.″ One can only speculate about what Jesus’ reaction might be if He came today and watched the actions of Wall Street bankers and politicians in Washington, D.C.
I’m just putting it out there.
Jesus is the only person in history who has been entirely under the power of the Holy Spirit.
He never succumbed to the wicked character of human beings.
The rest of us should avoid expressing anger since, unlike Jesus, we do not have complete control over our sinful human nature.
Really, a disclaimer should have been included in the Gospel reading of Jesus cleaning the Temple.

″Jesus is a seasoned expert,″ the Bible should proclaim in large, strong characters.″Please do not attempt this at home.″ When individuals use this incident as reason for being enraged, they frequently do so because they have a noble purpose in mind.The transition from righteousness to self-righteousness, on the other hand, does not take long.What follows is a bizarre scene in which a lunatic bursts into an abortion clinic wielding a rifle, truly believing that God has instructed him to murder people in order to save people from being killed.Satan, on the other hand, is giggling with delight.He just enjoys it when we grow enraged about a worthy cause to the point that we become overwhelmed with self-righteous vengefulness.

For example, according to C.S.Lewis, ″the devil would be perfectly delighted to see your chilblains healed as long as he was allowed to give you cancer in exchange.″ Anger may be compared to cancer in several ways.It’s a form of spiritual cancer.All of us, including those of us who have not yet attained Jesus’ degree of spirituality (which includes EVERYONE of us), are susceptible to this illness.Only Jesus is capable of dealing with wrath without becoming infected with the spiritual illness of self-righteousness.We poor beings do not yet possess the spiritual perfection that Jesus possesses.

As a result, we are unable of dealing with our anger in a healthy manner.
Good intentions can often turn into wicked deeds.
According to P.J.
O’Rourke, anger in the hands of sinful people is like whiskey and a car key in the hands of a group of adolescent guys.
Just too risky, in my opinion.

In other words, don’t assume that hearing the gospel reading this week gives you permission to be furious.Jesus is a well-versed expert.This should not be attempted at home.

Cleansing of the Temple – Wikipedia

Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple tale describes his driving the merchants and moneychangers from the Temple.It is recorded in all four canonical gospels of the New Testament, and it is one of the most famous stories in the world.The scenario is a popular motif in Christian art, as may be seen here.After traveling to Jerusalem for Passover, Jesus and his disciples expel the merchants and consumers from the temple, accusing them of converting it into ″a den of thieves″ (according to the Synoptic Gospels) and ″a house of trade″ (according to the Gospel of John) through their commercial activities.According to the Synoptic Gospels, the tale is found at the conclusion (at Matthew 21:12–17, Mark 11:15–19, and Luke 19:45–48), while it is found close to the beginning of the Gospel of John (at John 2:13–16).

Given that the Gospel of John contains more than one Passover, some scholars assume that these two passages allude to two different episodes in the Bible.

Description

Several sources claim that Jesus paid a visit to the Temple in Jerusalem, where he found the courtyard to be crowded with cattle, merchants, and the tables of the money changers, who were busy converting the standard Greek and Roman currency into Jewish and Tyrian shekels.Jerusalem was jam-packed with Jews who had traveled to the city for Passover, with estimates ranging from 300,000 to 400,000 travelers.In the end, he drove them all out of the temple with a whip made of cords, along with the sheep and oxen.And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and threw them to the ground, knocking them over.Then Jesus commanded those who were selling the pigeons, ″Take these things away; do not turn my Father’s home into a place of business.″ After that, Jesus walked into the house of God and drove out everyone who sold and purchased in the temple, overturning the tables of the money changers as well as the seats of those who sold doves, among other things.

He then told them that it was written that My house would be considered a place of prayer, but that they had turned it into a den of thieves.
In Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47, Jesus accuses the Temple officials of thievery, and this time he identifies impoverished widows as their victims, and he goes on to offer proof for this accusation in Mark 12:42 and Luke 21:2, among other places.
Dove merchants were selling doves that had been sacrificed by the poor, who couldn’t afford more elaborate offerings, and notably by female pilgrims.
According to Mark 11:16, Jesus subsequently imposed a ban on anybody bringing any item into the Temple, a measure that would have caused complete disruption to all commercial activity.

This occurred in the gentiles’ outermost court, which was the most remote.According to Matthew 21:14–16, the Temple elders interrogated Jesus about whether or not he was aware that the children were chanting ″Hosanna to the Son of David.″ Jesus answered by adding, ″You have appointed praise to come from the lips of children and babies.″ According to followers, Jesus’ acknowledgment of divinity was made through the use of a line from the Psalm 8:2, which reads, ″from the mouths of youngsters and babies.″

Chronology

Some scholars disagree on whether or not the Temple was cleansed in two stages, and whether or not there were two separate events.Thomas Aquinas and St.Augustine both believe that Jesus performed a similar act twice, with the less severe denunciations of the Johannine account (merchants and sellers) occurring early in Jesus’s public ministry and the more severe denunciations of the synoptic accounts (thieves and robbers) occurring just before, and indeed expediting, the events of the crucifixion.Combining the claims about the Temple cleaning episode in the Gospel of John with non-biblical historical sources can yield an estimate of the time period during which it took place.As recorded in John 2:13, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem’s Temple at the start of his ministry, and as recorded in John 2:20, he was told, ″For forty-six years, this temple has been under construction, and you want to raise it up in three days?″ The first-century historian Flavius Josephus wrote in the Antiquities of the Jews that the temple reconstruction was begun by Herod the Great in the 18th year of his reign in 22 BC, two years before Augustus arrived in Syria in 20 BC to return the son of Phraates IV and receive in return the spoils and standards of three Roman legions (Ant 15.380).

(Ant 15.354).
Expansion and reconstruction of the temple were ongoing activities, and the temple was under constant reconstruction until it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
In light of the fact that the Temple had been under construction for 46 years at the time of John’s visit, it has been suggested that the visit occurred sometime between 24 and 29 AD.
It is possible that the Temple complex had only been completed for a few years when it was destroyed by the future Emperor Titus in the year 70 AD.

Analysis

When exactly the Temple was cleansed, and whether or not there were two different incidents, are subjects of controversy today.Theologians St.Thomas Aquinas and St.Augustine agree that Jesus performed a similar act twice, with the less severe denunciations of the Johannine account (merchants and sellers) occurring early in Jesus’s public ministry and the more severe denunciations of the synoptic accounts (thieves and robbers) occurring just before, and indeed expediting, the events of the crucifixion.

A combination of biblical and nonbiblical historical data may be used to determine the approximate date of the Temple cleaning incident described in the Gospel of John.As recorded in John 2:13, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem’s Temple at the commencement of his career, and as recorded in John 2:20, he was informed, ″For forty-six years, this temple has been under construction, and you want to raise it in three days?″ First-century historian Flavius Josephus wrote in the Antiquities of the Jews that (Ant 15.380) the temple reconstruction was begun by Herod the Great in the 18th year of his reign in 22 BC, two years before Augustus arrived in Syria in 20 BC to return the son of Phraates IV while receiving in return the spoils and standards of three Roman legions (Ant 15.354).This process of extension and repair was never completed; the temple remained under continual renovation until it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.In light of the fact that the Temple had been under construction for 46 years at the time of John’s visit, it has been suggested that the visit took place between 24 and 29 AD.

If this is the case, it is probable that the Temple complex had only been built for a few years when it was demolished by the future Emperor Titus in AD 70.

Interpretation of John 2:15

A history of the understanding of the Johannine passage since Antiquity was presented by Andy Alexis-Baker in 2012 at Loyola University Chicago, where he is currently a clinical associate professor of theology. It is Origen (3rd century) who makes the first remark on the passage: he rejects the passage’s historicity and sees it as a metaphorical representation of a person who has been set free from worldly things as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice. The contrary is true: John Chrysostom (v. 391) defended the historical authenticity of this passage
however, when considering whether Jesus had used the whip against the merchants in addition to the other beasts, he specified that it was done in order to demonstrate his divinity and that Jesus was not to be imitated
and
According to Theodore of Mopsuestia (in 381) – who responded, during the First Council of Constantinople, to the bishop Rabbula, who was accused of striking his clerics and attempting to justify himself by the purification of the Temple – and Cosmas Indicopleustes (in 550), the event is non-violent and historical: Jesus whips sheep and bulls, but he does not speak to merchants and does not overturn their tables
Augustine of Cato the Great, Donatist bishop of Cirta, espoused a non-violent Christianity and criticized Catholic Christianity for transgressing this non-violence. Petilian of Constantine was born in a non-violent Christian family. The Bishop of Hippo responded by reading the cleansing of the temple as a time when Jesus was acting as a persecutor against the merchants of the temple, which the Bishop of Hippo agreed with. Following Augustine’s interpretation, according to Alexis-Baker, Christians have justified ever-increasing violence. For example, Pope Gregory VII (in 1075), quoting Pope Gregory I, relies on this passage to justify his policy against the simonic clergy, who he compares to merchants in terms of wealth and power. Another group of medieval Catholic personalities, such as Bernard of Clairvaux, who preached the crusade, arguing that battling the ″pagans″ with the same passion that Jesus demonstrated against the merchants was a means of redemption, will do the same.
When accused of aiding in the burning alive of Michael Servetus, a theologian who denied the divinity of Jesus, during the Protestant Reformation, John Calvin (in 1554), following in the footsteps of Augustine of Hippo and the Gregories, defended himself by citing (among other things) the purification of the temple.
After doing a grammatical examination of the text, Andy Alexis Baker claims that, while the bulk of English-speaking Bibles depict Jesus lashing people as well as animals, the original text is more complicated, and that the text does not depict a violent deed by Jesus towards the merchants.

According to later sources

Toledot Yeshu

Several later additions to the story of the episode are widely viewed as mythical or polemical by academics, and thus are not included here.Yeshu is said to have entered the Temple with 310 of his followers, according to the Toledot Yeshu, a parody gospel that was probably written down about 1,000 years later but that may have been based on second-century Jewish-Christian gospel if not oral traditions that may have gone back as far as the formation of the canonical narratives themselves.In addition, Epiphanius claims that Christ’s followers had entered the Temple, and in particular the Holy of Holies, and that James had donned the high priest’s breastplate as well as the high priestly diadem on his head and had actually entered the Holy of Holies, and that John the Beloved had become a sacrificing priest who wore the mitre, which was originally the high priest’s headdress.Yeshu was also accused of stealing the shem hamphorash, the’secret name of god,’ from the Holy of Holies in the Toledot Yeshu, which is located in the Temple of Solomon.

In art

The purification of the Temple is a typical occurrence in the Life of Christ that is presented under a variety of titles. El Greco painted various variations on this theme: In the paintings Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (El Greco, London), Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (El Greco, Madrid), Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (El Greco, Minneapolis), Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (El Greco, New York), Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (El Greco, Washington), Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (El Greco, New York), Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (El Gre

Gallery

Temple purification is underway. Unknown artist
Giotto’s ″Casting out the Money Changers″ (Casting out the Money Changers).

References

The Complete Gospels, Polebridge Press (1994), ISBN 0-06-065587-9
Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament, Doubleday (1997), ISBN 0-385-24767-2
Brown, Raymond E. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice Hall (1990), ISBN 0-13-614934-0
Ched Myers, Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus, Orbis (1998), ISBN 0-88344-6220
Miller,

Notes

Page 49 of The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary by Craig A. Evans, published in 2005 under the ISBN 0-7814-4228-1. Sanders, E. P. The Historical Figure of Jesus, published in 1993 under the title The Historical Figure of Jesus, Penguin, 1993 under the title The Historical Figure of Jesus, published in 1993 under the title The Historical Figure of Jesus, Penguin, 1993 under the title The Historical Figure of Jesus, published under the title The Historical Figure of Jesus, published under the title The Historical Figure of Jesus, published under the It is necessary to search for the authentic deeds of Jesus in order to understand the Acts of Jesus. a b c d e f g h I j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k l j k The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament by Andreas J. Köstenberger and L. Scott Kellum 2009 ISBN 978-0-8054-4365-3 pages 140–141
Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus by Craig A. Evans 2008 ISBN 0-415-97569-7 page 115
The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament by Andreas J. Köstenberger and L. Scott Kellum 2009 ISBN Because of some uncertainty about how Josephus referred to and computed dates, as stated by Köstenberger and Kellum (page 114), various scholars come up with slightly different dates for the exact start of Temple construction, varying by a few years in their final estimation of the date of the Temple visit. According to the Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, page 246 states that Temple construction was never