Jesus clears the temple at his first Passover
At the Passover in Jerusalem Jesus made a whip of cords and drove the traders and money changers out of the temple courts. Asked for a sign, he said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
John 2:19 (World English Bible)
His hearers pointed out that the temple had been under construction for forty-six years; only after the resurrection did the disciples understand that he spoke of his body (John 2:20–22). This is the first of the four Passovers in John's Gospel on which Ussher builds the length of the ministry.
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Dating notes
Ussher: Passover, AD 30. The other Gospels describe a clearing of the temple in Holy Week. Many interpreters, Ussher included, see two separate events; others think John placed the one event early for emphasis.