John 2:15
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ποιήσας
when he had made
G4160
ποιήσας
when he had made
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
2 of 26
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
φραγέλλιον
a scourge
G5416
φραγέλλιον
a scourge
Strong's:
G5416
Word #:
3 of 26
a whip, i.e., roman lash as a public punishment
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
σχοινίων
small cords
G4979
σχοινίων
small cords
Strong's:
G4979
Word #:
5 of 26
of uncertain derivation); a rushlet, i.e., grass-withe or tie (generally)
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
8 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱεροῦ
the temple
G2411
ἱεροῦ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
10 of 26
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
τά
G3588
τά
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρόβατα
the sheep
G4263
πρόβατα
the sheep
Strong's:
G4263
Word #:
13 of 26
something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βόας
the oxen
G1016
βόας
the oxen
Strong's:
G1016
Word #:
16 of 26
an ox (as grazing), i.e., an animal of that species ("beef")
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
This temple cleansing occurs early in John's Gospel (a second may occur later, per synoptic accounts). Prophets like Jeremiah had condemned temple corruption. Jesus' action fulfilled Malachi 3:1-3, where the Lord would suddenly come to His temple to purify. The violence was targeted at commerce, not persons—sheep and oxen were driven out.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' temple cleansing inform our understanding of righteous anger?
- When is confrontation of religious corruption appropriate and how should it be conducted?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus makes a whip of cords and drives out the sheep, oxen, and money changers. This deliberate, forceful action demonstrates righteous anger—not loss of control but intentional prophetic action. The whip, fashioned on site, shows premeditation. Christ's gentleness does not preclude appropriate confrontation of evil. The one who would be led as a lamb to slaughter first acts as shepherd driving out those who corrupt the flock.