03.28. Final teaching in Jerusalem

Final teaching in Jerusalem

Jesus’ triumphal entry took place on the Sunday before Passover, and his cleansing of the temple the next day.¹ After cleansing the temple, he spent time there healing and teaching, and then went back to Bethany for the night.² On the Tuesday morning Jesus returned to Jerusalem,³ where he spent much time in lively interaction with the people – arguments, debates, teachings, warnings. The religious leaders in particular challenged him with tough questions, and he replied with equally tough questions. Many of these were supplemented with parables and stories that forced the hearers to think hard about themselves and where they were heading.⁴ Although Jesus saw his death approaching, he still engaged daily in this intense disputation, which must have made the nights at Bethany a welcome respite.

Jesus’ chief teaching venue in Jerusalem was the temple.⁵ On one occasion, perhaps on the Wednesday, he had finished teaching and was heading in the direction of Bethany when, in response to questions from his disciples, he stopped on the Mount of Olives to talk to them about some of the crises ahead.⁶ The disciples seem to have thought that the predicted destruction of Jerusalem was linked to the return of the Messiah and the end of the age. Jesus pointed out that the two events were not necessarily connected. Certainly, people of his generation would live to witness the horror of Jerusalem’s destruction, but they were not to believe every prediction of his soon return. Nor were they to think that every war, famine or earthquake was a sure sign that the end was near. What they were to be concerned with was that the good news of the kingdom be spread throughout the world, and that they themselves be ready always for his return. For he will return at a time that no one expects.

1. John 12:12 cf. v. 1; Mark 11:11-12; Mark 11:15 2. Matthew 21:12-17 3. Matthew 21:18

4. Matthew 21:23; Matthew 21:28; Matthew 21:33; Matthew 21:45; Matthew 22:1; Matthew 22:15; Matthew 22:23; Matthew 22:34; Matthew 22:41 5. Matthew 21:14; Matthew 21:23; Matthew 24:1; Matthew 26:55; Mark 12:35; Mark 12:41; Luke 21:37-38 6. Matthew 24:1-44

Jerusalem