John 2:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me."

NIV: His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."

NASB: His disciples remembered that it was written: 'ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.'

CSB: And his disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.

NLT: Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: 'Passion for God’s house will consume me.'

KJV: And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

NKJV: Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

Jesus demonstrated humility, gentleness, friendship, and love. Yet, He was not the soft-skinned, frail, passive sage seen so often in works of art. Reading what He endured during His last hours before crucifixion vouches for His physical toughness (Matthew 26:67; 27:27–31). The gospels also depict Jesus as passionate, direct, quick-minded, and brave. A fragile pushover could never have single-handedly cleared a courtyard full of merchants. Nor would a weakling have stood His ground against the commotion that came after. The disciples are reminded of Psalm 69:9, which refers to the Messiah. "Zeal" is defined as "passion, energy, and devotion." Jesus' passion for the purity of the temple is clear.

At the same time, His anger is controlled. This account is careful to note that Jesus didn't pick up a whip or pull one out of his belt. Rather, He made the whip in response to what He saw in the temple (John 2:15). That was a purposeful, intentional act. There is no biblical reason to think Jesus harmed anyone, or any animal, or damaged any property. And yet, He single-handedly evicted all the vendors and moneylenders, without being arrested or mobbed. This says a lot about the powerful presence Christ must have had. Even so, this kind of incident generated hatred from the local religious leaders, who would eventually "consume" and kill Jesus (Matthew 12:14).

John 2:13–23 describes Jesus driving corrupt businessmen from the temple. His wrath is not because of selling sacrifices, itself, but rather the greedy focus on money with no regard to serving God. Jesus is never depicted as out of control, but His anger is clear. It's likely that this is an early temple cleansing, and the other gospels record a second, separate incident. Jesus' right to act this way is challenged by the authorities. In typical Hebrew style, they demand a miraculous sign. Jesus instead predicts His own death and resurrection. This passage contrasts with the quiet, joyous miracle at the wedding.

Jesus attends a wedding where He performs His first miracle: turning water into wine. This symbolizes a transformation of human rituals into divine sacrifice. Few people are even aware that a miracle has occurred. Jesus then drives crooked businessmen out of the temple, scolding them for turning a sacred area into a crass marketplace.

Chapter 2 begins to show Jesus' "signs," or miracles, which will prove that He is the Savior. The miracles will become more spectacular over time, but they start quietly. Contrast is an important part of the gospel of John. The quiet, joyful miracle at the wedding is starkly different from the loud public spectacle of clearing the temple. Jesus' first miracle symbolizes His mission. During the temple clearing, He also predicts His death and resurrection. This sets the stage for Jesus' private discussion with Nicodemus, a respected and influential man.

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.