SUMMARY
The chief Jewish authorities try to make JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More justify himself, but he cleverly evades their questions with a question of his own.
ANALYSIS
In light of the radical nature of Jesus’ rejection of the practice of buying and selling in the TempleThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged... More (see MatthewA tax collector who became one of Jesus' 12 disciples. More 21:12-17 – The Cleansing of the Temple), it comes as no surprise that the Jerusalem authorities seek another opportunity to confront him. The group that questions him consists of two groups related to the Temple: the chief priests, who ran the Temple sacrificeSacrifice is commonly understood as the practice of offering or giving up something as a sign of worship, commitment, or obedience. In the Old Testament grain, wine, or animals are used as sacrifice. In some New Testament writings Jesus' death on the cross as the... More, and the eldersElders are leaders who exercise wisdom or leadership by virtue of their age and experience. In the New Testament elders, along with the chief priests and scribes, constituted the primary opposition to Jesus when he taught in Jerusalem. More, who were keepers of Jewish tradition. These two groups were in charge of the Temple and the religious practices associated with it, and so they had the authority to decide whether things like buying, selling or moneychanging were allowed in the Temple courtyard. Their source of authority is clear; the source of Jesus’ is hidden. Jesus’ actions directly challenge the chief priests and elders, and so they return the challenge by asking him to clarify why he believes that he has the right to do what he has done.
Jesus’ response reveals a new aspect of his identity. Previously he had shown himself to be part of the prophetic tradition, a teacher and a miracle worker. As MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified... More, Jesus entered into the role of the strong man who freed people from Satan and from disease and death. In Jerusalem, Jesus plays the “trickster” for the first time. Rather than meeting the challenges to his authority directly, he dodges with cleverness. The question that he poses for his challengers paralyzes them and allows Jesus to depart without laying his cards on the table.
