Jewish hearts around the world remained centered on the holy temple in Jerusalem, uniting them despite theological and philosophical differences. [1]
The survival of Judaism depended on centralizing worship at the Jerusalem temple, which embodied monotheism and the potential to spread a universal concept of God. [2]
One of the services of the temple was to serve as a place to perform ritual baptisms. John baptized believers in the Jordan “for the remission of sins”, a practice never before seen among the Jews who had only baptized gentile proselytes into the fellowship of the temple's outer court. [3] Levites officiated services in the Jerusalem temple, but they feared to call Jesus before them. [4] John faced a dilemma after his father's death, as the Nazarite vow forbade contact with the dead, causing him great embarrassment. [5]
The Jerusalem temple was desecrated by rampant traffic in animals and money-changers, leading to the exploitation of worshipers and the poor, prompting Jesus to cleanse the temple and denounce profiteering. [6]
The Jerusalem temple was profaned by an extensive banking system within its precincts, profiting immensely from a variety of transactions and unjust levies, leading to widespread poverty among the common people. [7]
The temple treasury profited enormously from money-changers engaging in various banking transactions, holding up to $10 million, while the common people suffered in poverty and paid unfair taxes. [8]
Mary and Joseph presented Jesus as a baby in the Jerusalem temple, fulfilling the Mosaic ordinances of redemption and purification, while being recognized by Simeon and Anna as the promised Messiah. [9]
Jesus' first visit to the Jerusalem temple was a deeply engaging and humanly thrilling experience. [10] Jesus was shocked and indignant when Mary was restricted to the women's gallery at the Jerusalem temple. [11] The questions in Jesus' discourse at the Jerusalem temple sparked intense debate among the chief discussion group. [12]
Jesus passed through the temple precincts on his way to join the new sons of the law, but was disappointed by the irreverent conduct he witnessed within the vast buildings. [13]
In a second visit to the temple, with his brother James, young Jesus found the teachers' discussions at the temple puerile and insignificant, leaving James puzzled by his brother's silence. [14] Jesus, preparing James for the temple visit, discussed traditions at Bethel and Jacob's well, noting priests performed duties perfunctorily. [15]
In A.D. 22, Jesus spent 2 months observing temple discussions, schools of rabbis, and Sabbath days at Bethany, with guidance from former high priest Annas. [16]
Throughout the month April, 27 AD, Jesus and the apostles taught daily in the temple with a message of the kingdom of heaven, love, obedience, and freedom from burdensome traditions. [17] Jesus was sickened by the irreverence and profit-driven animal sacrifice he witnessed at the Jerusalem temple. [18] In the temple courts, Jesus was appalled by the irreverent behavior, declaring it unfit for his Father's house. [19] Jesus forcefully cleared the temple of commerce, declaring it a house of prayer for all nations, not a den of robbers. [20] Jesus was accused of desiring to destroy the temple, but the court failed to convict him of blasphemy for this statement. [21] Jesus was shocked and sickened by the presence of politically appointed priests and commerce in the temple courts. [22]
Jesus' cleansing of the temple revealed his detestation of commercializing religion and unfair profiteering, sparking a profound and unexpected upheaval in the sacred space. [23] The disillusioned and sickened Jesus witnessed irreverence in the temple, leading to a disruptive cleansing of the money-changers and merchants. [24] Jesus taught in Solomon’s Porch to officially announce his divinity to the Jewish people and the world. [25] The destruction of the Jerusalem temple was foretold by Jesus, bringing great sorrow to all who witnessed his emotional proclamation. [26]
Shortly after two o’clock on the Tuesday afternoon, April 4, 30 AD, Jesus delivered his last discourse in the temple, condemning the Jewish leaders and appealing for repentance before the Sanhedrin sentenced him to death. [27]
On Tuesday morning in the Jerusalem temple, Jesus met with his apostles, the women's corps, and other prominent disciples, imparting farewell advice before departing for Jerusalem. [28]
Jesus paid the half shekel tax for the temple services at Jerusalem to avoid entrapment by the tax collector. [29] Peter did not paid the temple tax collector of Jerusalem in a miraculous manner by catching a fish with a shekel in its mouth. [30] The brilliant illumination of candelabras and torches at the temple feast sparked a mix of racial rejoicing, sacrifices, and Levitical chants. [31]
The emblem of grape and vine decorating the entrance to Herod's temple symbolized the lineage of David's ancestors, believed by the Jews to be connected to the Messiah. [32]
The Beautiful Gate at the Jerusalem temple was a symbolic entrance for the worshipers facing westward, repeating chants, and marching towards the court of the gentiles. [33]
In the chamber of hewn stone within the temple, Caiaphas reported to the Sanhedrin about the trial and condemnation of Jesus, as Judas sought his reward for betraying him. [34]
The Jerusalem temple's court of gentiles connected culture, commerce, and worship with Antioch, where Paul's early converts were first called "Christians.". [35] During the feast in the court of Israel, seventy bullocks were sacrificed, symbolizing the seventy nations of heathendom. [36]
The nature-loving boy of Nazareth was sickened by the sights and sounds of the priests' court beneath the rock ledge at the Jerusalem temple, begging to be taken away. [37]
In the court of women, Jesus was indignant at the unjust discrimination against his mother and later commissioned women as gospel teachers, liberating them in religious work. [38] Jesus found solace in the teaching conferences at the temple, but his curiosity about the holy of holies remained unanswered. [39]
Jesus taught in Solomon’s Porch and elsewhere in the temple courts, making the official announcement of his divinity to the Jewish people and the world. [40]
See also: UB 125:1.5; UB 150:1.3; UB 172:4.