Is the Temple Cleansing in John Accurate?

Is the Temple Cleansing in John Accurate?

Jesus' Temple Cleansing
Does the temple cleansing in John contradict the Synoptic Gospels?

Critics claim that the temple cleansing in the Gospel of John is either the same temple cleansing reported by the three Synoptics, Matthew, Mark and Luke, and/or is out of place, Bible, and/or out of harmony with them, therefore constituting a “contradiction” in the Gospels. Below are listed a number of reasons why the temple cleansing in John is accurate and was performed by Jesus around the time of the first Passover after his baptism, which was probably about six months earlier. John clearly states in 20:31 and 21:25 that he was highly selective in his reporting on the events of Jesus’ life. The other three Gospel writers had already reported on the second temple cleansing by the time John wrote his gospel. Upon close examination, it seems fairly obvious that John was very familiar with these other three Gospels, and quite possibly had copies of them in his possession as he wrote the fourth Gospel. John filled in many gaps that the Synoptics did not report on. In fact, 92% of his gospel is unique. John reports 

John 2:1 – “on the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee.”

John 2:11 – “was the first of his signs”. John’s Gospel states that Jesus’ turning water into wine at a marriage feast was the first of the seven signs, or miracles, reported by John that Jesus performed prior to his death.

John 2:12 – “After this,” was when Jesus cleansed the Temple for the first time.

John 2:13 – “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” This was Jesus’ first Passover that he attended after his baptism.

John 4:54 – “This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.” John’s gospel records the first two of Jesus’ many miracles that are recorded in the Bible. Jesus’ first Temple cleansing is thus placed before Jesus’ second miracle, which was still early in his ministry. This miracle, or sign, is stated by John to be number two of the seven signs, or miracles, that he reports in his gospel. This fact is conclusive, in itself, that John’s temple cleansing took place about three years prior to the second temple cleansing, which is reported by the Synoptics, Matthew, Mark and Luke. By the time of Jesus’ second temple cleansing, he had performed numerous miracles as reported in the four Gospels.

The following are unique to John’s recording of Jesus’ first Temple cleansing, as contrasted with the Synoptics recording of Jesus’ second Temple cleansing:

·         John 2:14 – “people selling cattle and sheep”

·         John 2:15 – “whip out of cords”

·         John 2:15 – “he scattered the coins of the money changers”

·         John 2:16 – “To those who sold the doves he said, ‘Get these out of here.'”

·         John 2:17 – “His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.'”

John omits Jesus’ quotation of Isaiah 56:7. There are major differences in wording, setting and time. Apart from the work of John the Baptizer, nothing in John 1-5 is in the synoptic Gospels.

This temple cleansing occurred at the first Passover of Jesus’ ministry, and the synoptic Gospels’ cleansing took place at Jesus’ last Passover.

Those who claim to have found “contradictions” in the Bible have really not checked closely to get all the details. When one does analyze all the details, these so-called “contradictions” vanish. Different honest, factual witnesses never have 100% identical stories.However, they are always on the same page when reporting the main facts, or events, but their details are always divergent, depending on their various perspectives.

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