The King on the colt looks and leaves
Doesn’t it seem to be an anti-climax after the triumphal entry that Jesus goes to the temple, looks around and then leaves, headed back to Bethany, from which he’d just come? He doesn’t drive out the sellers and buyers and upturn the tables until the next day.
Then Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. And after looking around at everything, he went out to Bethany with the twelve since it was already late.
What was the Lord’s point in doing this? The text doesn’t say explicitly, so we have to search for clues, if there are any. What do you make of Mark 11:11?
Steve, 
Roy Coffman, and 1 other are discussing. 
Steve 7:31 am on January 16, 2012 Permalink |
“already late” Could it have been that those who made a market at the temple had already left for the day? Possibly a poor comparison, but I contrast it with a farmer’s market which typically lasts until a predetermined time or until a vendor has sold out of product.
J. Randal Matheny 7:32 am on January 16, 2012 Permalink |
Hi, Steve, no doubt, but wouldn’t Jesus have know that? Did he get to the temple and suddenly go, “Oops, I see they’re closing shop for the day, so we’ll want until the morning to get out the old whip”?
Don Ruhl 7:55 am on January 16, 2012 Permalink |
The Lord does not always immediately act, such as when He sent angels to Sodom, and it was not until the next day that they destroyed Sodom. He looks things over. He is not in a hurry to punish and destroy. He knew that His time was short on earth, and He knew that the temple’s time on earth was short.
Roy Coffman 8:10 am on January 16, 2012 Permalink |
In looking at this little sotry we have to understnad that it is no longer safe for Jesus to sleep in the city. If we look close we can figure out that he will not spend another night in the city until his last fatal night.
Steve 8:30 am on January 16, 2012 Permalink |
Good point, Randal. To tag with don’s comments, how about this hybrid thought? So much conjecture could be made, but since Jesus wants none to perish, could he have thought his presence might have influenced the sellers, if still there? It is uncertain if the 12 entered the temple, but if so, possibly he viewed it as an opportunity to teach/show them what was wrong? I must constantly remind myself of two certainties: not all Words and Thoughts of the Lord are recorded; and, some questions can be answered only when we meet face to face with the Lord. This is not meant to be a cop out, but possibly an understanding of just one of the differences between me and the Lord. I appreciate so much your thought questions! And your encouragement!
J. Randal Matheny 4:00 am on January 18, 2012 Permalink |
Sorry to be so slow in getting back, gentlemen. Don, very true your observation, interesting connect with the destruction of Sodom and the Lord’s visit there to investigate. Steve, good thoughts to take into account as well.
I wonder if we can connect his “looking around” with the seeing the fig tree and looking for fruit on it, which extends naturally to chap. 12 with the parable of the vineyard owner who sends to receive from the tenants his portion of the crop. The fig-tree story frames the purification of the temple in Mark’s gospel, which serves as commentary on it. So maybe the inspection of the tree might be connected to the inspection of the temple. Whatcha think?