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Book of John - Chapter 2 - Verse 17

2:17
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

Meaning

When Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple, his disciples remembered the verse that says, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.” This verse from Psalm 69:9 can be understood as expressing a deep passion and dedication for the house of the Lord. In this context, Jesus' actions in the temple were driven by his desire to see God's house treated with respect and reverence. By quoting this verse, his disciples recognized that Jesus was acting out of a consuming zeal for God's presence and the purity of worship. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring God and His sanctuary and reflects the intensity of Jesus' commitment to the Kingdom of God. As we read this verse in the broader context of the Bible, we can see the depth of Jesus' love for God and his unwavering dedication to fulfilling God's will on earth.

Theological Overview

When Jesus drove out the money changers from the temple, the disciples were reminded of a passage from the Psalms that spoke of the zeal for God's house consuming the person. This reference to Psalm 69:9 sheds light on Jesus' actions in cleansing the temple. In this context, Jesus' actions were not out of anger or selfish ambition, but out of a deep passion for the sanctity and purity of God's house. The word "zeal" in this verse can be translated as a fervent or intense devotion. By linking his actions to this Old Testament passage, the disciples were able to see that Jesus was fulfilling the Scriptures and carrying out God's will. This moment serves as a reminder that Jesus' actions were not arbitrary, but rooted in the fulfillment of God's purposes as foretold in the Scriptures.

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