Gospel of John 09.vp

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The Gospe l of John

3. A religious Flea Market or the Temple of the Living God: sheep, doves, and cattle were needed for sacrifices (see Lev. 1.3-9; 4.2-21; 8.2; 22.21); all Jews who could attend usually did so; moneychangers standardized differing currencies so sacrificial animals could be purchased.

B. Jesus’ rebuke: turning his Father’s house of prayer into a bazaar or mall (i.e. trade), 2.15-17, Zeal for Your house will consume me! (Cf. Ps. 69.9)

1. Sign of his authority: “ Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up ,” 2.18-19.

2. Jesus’ response blasphemous (Herod the Great started the work of the Temple in 20-19 B.C. and continued till 64 A.D.)

3. Jesus speaking of the temple of his body , 2.21

4. The disciples understood Jesus’ words in retrospect (e.g., 2 Kings 9.36-37).

C. Knower of the human heart: Jesus refuses to entrust himself to the people “ for he himself knew what was in man ,” 2.23-24.

V. The Interview with Nicodemus the Pharisee, John 3.1-21

A. You must be born again, 3.1-8.

1. Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees and member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, John 3.1 – Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.