Jesus cleanses the temple in John 2
Ian Paul
31.15
26 February 2024
12 November 2025
The gospel lectionary reading for Lent 3 in Year B is John 2.13–22, the Fourth Gospel’s account of Jesus ‘cleansing’ the temple and driving out the traders and money-changers. After quite a bit of immersion in passages from Mark’s gospel, it is an interesting contrast to be back in John.
The contrast with the Synoptics raises all sorts of questions—were there two cleansings? What actually happened? What was the meaning of Jesus' action? What does it tell us about who he is? Come and join Ian and James as they explore all these questions and their implications.
Revd James Blandford-Baker is vicar of Histon and Impington, two villages just north of Cambridge. Revd Dr Ian Paul is Associate Minister of St Nic's, Nottingham, and writes the widely-read blog www.psephizo.com. Full written commentary behind the discussion can be found on the blog each week.