Thoughts on the Gospel of John (22) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, his mother, his brothers and his disciples; and they did not stay there many days. Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
John 2:12-14

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (22)
When Jesus began His public ministry, Joseph was clearly no longer alive and His sisters were presumably married. They were not mentioned in the group when Jesus went to Capernaum, a city by the lake of Gennesaret, with His mother, His brothers and His disciples. This mixed company was composed of the family and the disciples, ­believers and unbelievers. Jesus' own brothers were still unbelievers; they only believed in him after His resurrection (cf. ch. 7:5; Acts 1:14).

The Passover feast, on the celebration of which God placed great importance, was at hand: "Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night" (Deuteronomy 16:1). It was one of the seven feasts of the LORD, but what had become of it in the course of time?

One thing is noticeable: here it is called "the Passover of the Jews". Does the writer of the gospel wish to indicate that the people themselves, and not the Lord, were in the forefront?

Notice also what was going on in the temple, i.e. the entire temple area. How inappropriate that barter and a livestock market were held in a holy place!

Similarities are frequently found in Christendom today: mankind strives for a place in the foreground, and faith serves financial purposes.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 30:15-27 · Revelation 17:1-6