John 2:13-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:18

Then answered the Jews, and said unto him ,.... They did not lay hands on him, or offer any violence to him; they did not, as the inhabitants of Nazareth did, thrust him out, and lead him to a precipice, to cast him down headlong; nor did they take up stones to stone him, as they afterwards did, when he asserted his deity: and it is surprising, that they did not rise up and destroy him at once, a single man, unarmed, and without assistance, having so highly provoked them; the restraint upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:19

Jesus answered and said unto them ,.... In a dark and enigmaticai way, though very properly and pertinently; since it was with respect to the temple, and his power over it, and right to purge it, that a sign was required of him: destroy this temple ; pointing, as it were, with his finger to his body; for of that he spake, as appears from John 2:21 , the dissolution of which, by death he means, the separation of his soul from his body, though not of either from his divine person: and it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:20

Then said the Jews ,.... Unto him, as read the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions: forty and six years was this temple in building ; which cannot be understood of the temple as built by Solomon, for that was but seven years in building, 1 Kings 6:37 . But rather of the temple, as built by Zorobabel, commonly called the second temple, and might be more properly said to be "this temple"; the calculations of this made by learned men, are various and endless to recite. Daniel's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 2:21

But he spoke of the temple of his body. Which was the antitype of the material temple; and might well be called so, since the bodies of the saints are called temples, 1 Corinthians 3:16 2 Corinthians 6:16 ; and the human nature of Christ is called a tabernacle, Hebrews 8:2 ; and he himself, in prophecy, is said to be למקדש , "for a sanctuary", or temple, Isaiah 8:14 , and that because the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily, the train of the divine perfections filled the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:13

And the Jews' passover was at hand - This was the reason why he stayed but a few days at Capernaum, John 2:12 , as he wished to be present at the celebration of this feast at Jerusalem. This was the first passover after Christ's baptism. The second is mentioned, Luke 6:1 . The third, John 6:4 . And the fourth, which was that at which he was crucified, John 11:55 . From which it appears, That our blessed Lord continued his public ministry about three years and a half, according to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:14

Found in the temple those that sold oxen, etc. - This is a similar fact to that mentioned Matthew 21:12 ; Mark 11:15 ; Luke 19:45 . See it explained on Matthew 21:12 ; (note). If it be the same fact, then John anticipates three years of time in relating it here; as that cleansing of the temple mentioned by the other evangelists took place in the last week of our Lord's life. Mr. Mann, Dr. Priestley, and Bp. Pearce, contend that our Lord cleansed the temple only once; and that was at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:17

The zeal of thine house - See Psalm 59:10 . Zeal to promote thy glory, and to keep thy worship pure. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:18

What sign showest thou - See on Matthew 12:38 ; (note); Matthew 16:1 ; (note). When Moses came to deliver Israel, he gave signs, or miracles, that he acted under a Divine commission. What miracle dost thou work to show us that thou art vested with similar authority? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:19

Destroy this temple - Τον ναον τουτον , This very temple; perhaps pointing to his body at the same time. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 2:20

Forty and six years was this temple in building - The temple of which the Jews spake was begun to be rebuilt by Herod the Great, in the 18th year of his reign: Josephus. Ant. b. xv. c. 11, s. 1; and xx. c. 9, s. 5, 7. But though he finished the main work in nine years and a half, yet some additional buildings or repairs were constantly carried on for many years afterwards. Herod began the work sixteen years before the birth of our Lord: the transactions which are here related took place in... read more

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