John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
2:17
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?


In contrast to the "backwoods" people in Nazareth, people in this event in the second chapter of John are not illiterate or uneducated. They rank in the higher educated, higher stationed group. Most in this class know their Bibles well -- many had memorized huge sections, if not pretty much all, of what was then scripture.

True knowledge isn't necessarily held by the highly educated, for them the simple things in truth, are complex and confusing with all their philosophizing. These people, sitting in the temple, selling Lambs for the Passover, though highly versed in scripture, don't understand that the Lamb of God was standing in their midst.

This HOUSE, the sanctuary has the story of Jesus and salvation written all the way through it, BUT THEY CAN'T SEE it!

Why, when dealing with the poor and illiterate is Jesus gentle and kind, where as when facing these highly educated leaders in the sanctuary, He displays wrath?

When people rise themselves up, like blackout curtains between God's messages and the truth, keeping people deceived, inspite of the light that wants to shine upon the people, it is one of the worst sins against one's fellow human.
It's the educated ones, blindfolding the poor, so they can't see salvation, that is grievous.
With ZEAL Christ worked to rip the blindfold away, so people can see the truth in Him!

Give us a sign? really!
After all they had seen and heard about Jesus they had seen many signs!!! Yet, in their mind they couldn't see and made sure no one else could either.

john 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE IN JOHN CHAPTER TWO. (First Cleansing)

The other three gospels record that our Lord cleansed the temple at the end of his ministry, in that last week just before his betrayal and crucifixion. Some scholars feel that John's account is of the same event, but John records it as having occurred at the beginning of our Lord's ministry.

It is not the same event -- Jesus cleansed the temple both at the beginning and at the end of His ministry on earth. A close look at the other gospel accounts reveals that there were considerable difference in these events.

Both times were connected with Passover.
Now scripture tells us that people prepared for the Passover by cleansing their houses. Anything to do with yeast, or fomentation, as well as dirt, was to be cleaned out.
This was done, not only for hygienic reasons, but to portray the need for spiritual cleansing as well.
Jesus had come to fulfill the promise
Jeremiah 33:8 And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.
33:9 And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Yet in a city and a time that was given over to cleansing every house, symbolizing the cleansing power of the coming Messiah; when the Messiah came into the temple, the house of God, he found it filled with clutter and noise, dirty-smelling animals, money-changers and merchandise, and worst of all, it was filled with greed, deception, racketeering, a total lack of worship. It was a religious scam, using the things God had ordained to turn thoughts heavenward, into means of extortion of the poor and taking advantage of those who had come to worship.

Christ had come with power to cleanse from sin.
The first cleansing of the temple announced and revealed His power to cleanse!

It also revealed two things --
1. The temple was to be open to all who come to worship.
2, It helps us understand the paradox, that , though we are to come, just as we are (Christ will never turn away an honest seeker) be assured that Jesus is not going to leave us the way we are. He is not going to settle for clutter, compromise, extortion and racket, whatever may be defiling and corrupting the temple courts of our lives. Though He works with gentleness, patience and love, seeking to save the lost, yet if we mistake His patience and love as His acceptance of our cherished sins, we are in for a surprise.

This first cleansing was reminder, a wake up call, an announcement, the prophesize Messiah,.
Jesus, the Son of God, had come to cleanse them.

When the Jews asked for a sign as to what authority He had to do these things--.

2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Jesus gave His death and resurrection to them as the sign as to His authority to cleanse.
It was in symbolic language, but some would understand it, in time.


In the second cleansing of the temple, Jesus again drove out the money changers and livestock merchants, but then demonstrating why He had come, He healed and taught those common people who remained. Interestingly they didn't run. It was the unrepentant that ran. His healing was what Christ longed to do for the whole nation!

When they left the temple after the second cleansing, they passed a fig tree that had been in full leaf the day before, but now it was dried up.
(See Mark 11:13-20)

And Matthew records Jesus mournful words:
23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!
23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.


If we refuse Christ's cleansing power, and by His Spirit, fail to put to death the sinful deeds of the body, (See Romans 8:13) one day we will find him coming again with flaming eyes and find ourselves running for the mountains, pleading for them to fall upon us.

Thus the two cleansings of the Jewish temple stand as bookmarks in the Christian experience.

The first -- Christ has come to drive out the sin and pollution out of our lives. It is by his power this work can be done, we can not do it ourselves. In cleansing the temple from the world's buyers and sellers, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin,--from the earthly desires, the selfish lusts, the evil habits, that corrupt the soul.

The second -- Christ will come again. Will He find our hearts cleansed by His Spirit? Or will all the money changers and worldly ambitions, greed and sin, still be there?

John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
2:24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

What do those words mean?

Many believed because of the miracles,
But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, He didn't need their testimony about each other.
Why not?
He knew their hearts.
He knew what was in man.

We can contrast that with Nathaniel's belief back in John 1:47-49
Nathaniel believed and Jesus recommended His faith for it was without guile. There was no deceptive element there. In other words, Jesus could completely trust him.
But though the people in the above verse also believed.
Jesus could not really trust them, He knew what was in their heart, and open trust was not there.

Jesus knew what was in each heart.
He didn't need any reference reports from other people,

He also knows what's in each of our hearts.
It really doesn't matter what others think is your heart. They don't really know.
But Jesus does know.

John chapter three

Anyone can join this study of John and share what these verses mean to them in their spiritual lives.


John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Here we have a ruler of the Jews, a Pharisee, seeking a secret audience with Jesus.

Why the secrecy?
Why are people afraid of what others might think of us if we seek to be with Jesus?

The conversation begins with Nicodemus making complimentary small talk,
Jesus seemingly ignores the small talk and comes out with a startling spiritual truth.
Why does Jesus launch immediately into deep spiritual truth on the first meeting.?

And why does He avoid launching into deep spiritual truth with others and just tell parables to these others?
Is there a connection with the last two verses of chapter 2 with these introductory verses in chapter 3?

Christ seems to reveal more truth in one-to-one conversations, as he also did with the woman at the well.

Jesus knows the motives and heart of every person. He knows if they come with sincere hearts, or if they are just curious come to see what is going on, or if they are trying to trip him up. He knows their needs and their spiritual condition.
For the casual seeker He tells parables to plant seeds of truth in their minds that may take root and grow,
For the honest seeker He avoids the small talk and gives them spiritual food that He knows meets their need.

And yes, in one-to-one conversations with people receptive to truth Jesus reveals more truth !

Nicodemus, as a Pharisee was most likely in the temple when Jesus entered on the day before the Passover. He would have been aware of what happened when Divinity flashed through humanity and money changers and sellers fled. He witnessed the miracles of Jesus there at the temple as the common people flocked in to hear Him. He was among the many who believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. Though cautious, he was convicted this was from God.

Nicodemus was a respected member of the Sanhedrin. He must have been powerfully convicted to break through the prejudice of his position, to acknowledge an untrained Galilean as a Teacher come from God and to meet with Him to discuss spiritual truths. It was a very compromising step for a Sanhedrist to take. No wonder he came secretly, especially after Jesus bold purging of the temple had set the temple authorities in a war path frame of mind against Jesus.

Yet Nicodemus came, evidence of his earnest desire to learn more. Jesus sensed this earnestness and took him straight to the heart of the gospel.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
3:4 Nicodemus answered him. How can a man be born when he is old can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus, the respected man, well versed in all scripture, holding a high position as leader and teacher in spiritual things in Israel, is shocked by the statement. He understood that, being born again, had something to do with being converted, but the statement shocked him. Why would Jesus think he, Nicodemus, needed this experience? He Nicodemus was born into high ranking Jewish family, and was in the high levels of spiritual leadership!! And so, in bewilderment he says, "a man can't enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

Back in the Jewish culture and understanding then. the concept of "born again" was actually well known BUT it meant being "born" or transitioned into the "kingdom" in a proselytizing manner. Gentiles were "outside the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12) To be "born again" in their minds, was not really meant as a regeneration, but it did carry the meaning of entering into a relationship with God by joining the Jewish faith and going through the rituals required to be considered a proselyte Jew -- joining the "kingdom" of God's chosen, by connecting with the Jewish religion.

But Nicodemus was not a Gentile! Why would Jesus suggest he needed to be born again?
He had all the top notch qualifications as understood in his time and position, which, in their minds mean he was part of the kingdom of God, part of the chosen nation.

This is a theme we as Adventists need to explore and understand.
Too often we (as well as other Christian denominations) often consider joining is being born again.
Yet, we can be top notch members of the organization, yet we still need to be born again?

What does it mean to be born again?

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God
3:6 That which is born of flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Three times in this conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus says

ONLY those born again will enter the kingdom of God!
This is crucial!

What does it mean to be born again.

The verses above tell us a little about what it means to be born again.
1. involves water (baptism/cleansing) and the Spirit.
2. the first birth is of the flesh, the second is of the Spirit.

Romans 8 tells us more of the flesh vs the Spirit.
8:1 no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
8:10 if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also make alive your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God

Basically, to be born again is to be raised from spiritual death to spiritual life by the Holy Spirit.
The flesh seeks to draw us away from Christ into gratifying physical pleasures.
But we walk by the holy Spirit that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us.
It is a transformation of the character by the Holy Spirit's power.

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
3:8 The wind blows where it listeth, and you hear the sound thereof, but canst not tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

This was a totally different meaning of "born again" than the one commonly understood by Jewish leaders. The "born again" Jesus was talking about, wasn't about rituals and rules, rather it was opening the heart to the Divine Presence of God's Spirit. It wasn't just a self improvement of the person, it is the submission of heart, mind and life to Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Necodemus was baffled. So Jesus gives an illustration. One can't see the wind, one can't control the wind, but a person can hear the sound of it rustling in the trees, and see the results of its presence as things move and change occurs.
And so the Holy Spirit moves, unseen, unexplained, drawing our hearts to Jesus, till we gladly (if we don't fight against it) give our hearts and will to Him.



The Holy Spirit doesn't just fix up the old life, no, there is a transformation in our desires, motives, thoughts.. "There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit". {DA 172.1}

John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, You are a master of Israel, and do not know these things?
3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.
3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things?

Nicodemus remains confused. How can these things be, he asks?
Why was he so confused?

Jesus chided Nicodemus for not being aware of the need and the promise of the new birth, because these were plainly laid out in the Old Testament. The promises of a New Heart, and New Spirit; the promises that God would remove the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh are scattered throughout the Old Testament. The words, "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord -- why didn't he understand those words?

Nicodemus knew these passages. But he understood them differently. Christ was speaking in regard to the inward work of grace to transform the heart and mind, while Nicodemus seemed to be thinking only on the physical plane.

Yet is Nicodemus confusion a rare thing?
Is there an important lesson we can learn form this?
Do we find people today who can't understand that God's Holy Spirit can, and must, actually change their carnal natures if they are to inherit the kingdom of God?

Jesus had just cleansed the temple of people doing carnal business in the temple. None of those people who fled that day from the presence of Jesus had characters transformed by the grace of God to rightly represent Him in the temple services. There was another spirit directing their selfish enterprises.
Nicodemus was one who regretted the evil that was going on, but did he believe that the Holy Spirit could actually change people who yielded self to His leading?

Nicodemus, while honestly seeking, was still a Pharisee. Feeling secure in his own honorable life style, he had hopes of a Messiah, who would rally the nation of Israel to better standards, drive out the Romans and set up a kingdom right there in Jerusalem. Pharisees had tried to lift the standard by making rules about everything. Jesus was talking about submitting to God and being lead by the Holy Spirit.

The true mission of Jesus in redeeming people from sin and transforming their inner lives was just not in line with how he thought things would be done.

Change in a person's thinking usually does not come suddenly. Jesus patiently continued to explain, planting the seeds of truth in his mind, so they would take root and someday result in this man's acceptance of the full truth as it is in Jesus and His righteousness.