The Cleansing of the Temple in John 2.13–22

For full details, see the article at https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/the-cleansing-of-the-temple-in-john-2/

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. No driving narrative here, but a much more crafted, 'literary' shape to the passage, with careful structuring. And instead of teaching us things through the placing of one event after another—communicating by putting things next to each other in parataxis—this gospel does its work by double meaning—communicating by overlaying things on top of one another!