Compare the cleansing of the temple stories in the different Gospels (Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-16.). What is different about John’s account from all the others?
The Passover was filled with rituals and preparations, such as offering sacrifices, paying one’s tithe (with the proper coins rather than one’s with the Emperor’s seal); all of which involve transactions. Jesus was a faithful Jew who likely through his life participated in these tasks. What was it about this experience today that threw him over the edge? What do you think Jesus saw that made him do what he did?
What was the Temple for the Jewish people? Why was it so important? In verse 19, how is Jesus relocating the people’s understanding of where the human/divine life intersects?
We are created to honor God with all that we are. What does it mean to you to honor God? What does honoring God look like for you as an individual? For us as a church? What gets in the way of us doing that?