What does it mean to cleanse the temple?
Mark 11:15 - 19
NKJV - 15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Shirley H
1 Corinthians 3:16, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 - "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which is God's." Going to church (temple) is about worship, prayer and glorifying God and Jesus our Savior. Psalm 51 is a prayer offered by King David. He had sinned with Bathsheba. Listen to what he says... Have mercy upon me, o God. According to Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. (He is asking God to cleans his temple!) David continues...I acknowledge my transgressions...I have sinned and done evil in your sight! He is a confessing that He has done wrong. He did not consider God. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom...purge me, wash me. Create in Me a clean heart. Restore me. Uphold me by Your generous Spirit. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness. Open my lips. A broken and contrite heart You will not despise. God loves His creation. He loves us. He sent His Only Begotten Son to atone for our sins. It's not about me. It's all about honoring Him. As a believer we are to represent Him. May we treat His temple with respect. Ephesians 4:17, you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind...being alienated from the life of God... Ephesians 4, be angry and do not sin...nor give place to the devil...do not grieve the Holy Spirit... Ephesians 5:2, "..walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us..." HE has cleansed the temple, and now it is ALL about Him!
Tim Maas
The Law that God gave to Israel through Moses in the Old Testament commanded the offering of various types of animal sacrifices on multiple designated occasions throughout the year as a blood atonement for sin, which were all a foreshadowing of the final, ultimate atoning sacrifice for human sin that Jesus would make through the shedding of His own blood. The main Jewish temple in Jerusalem also had its own monetary system to be used in the making of offerings in cash. Roman coinage had to be exchanged for this "temple shekel". In connection with each of those practices, moneychangers and dealers in sacrificial animals set up their businesses in the actual temple itself, and also regularly cheated their customers through their activities. This profaned the sacred nature of the temple, which God had intended to be a place of prayer and worship, rather than a site of commerce or thievery. On at least two separate occasions mentioned in the gospels (Matthew 21:17-23 and John 2:11-12) Jesus (in His role as God incarnate) "cleansed" the temple (that is, restored it to its original sacred purpose as a sanctuary for prayer and communion with God) by forcefully driving these individuals out of it, so that they would no longer be able to pursue their corrupt practices in God's house.
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible