The Cleansing Of The Earth


The Bible teaches the 3 uses of the Law & Gospel (individual, ecclesiastical, & civil).   They appear in that order in Matthew in the temptation narrative.

Where is Yeshua in Matthew 4:5?  The pinnacle of the temple.   What’s happening, Satan is challenging Yeshua’s authority & tempting Him with ecclesiastical authority as if that authority belongs to him (Satan) or will belong to him (Satan). 

Sign acts like overturning the money changers tables in any of the temple courts qualifies a public act of Civil Disobedience designed to draw the ecclesiastical leadership out into the open.    Yeshua issued the challenge & the Sanhedrin responded. 

Yeshua is there challenging the the Sanhedrin, especially those in the majority, as to their authority & its use &/or misuse of that authority. 

Annas & Caiphas are in charge of the temple as the High Priest(s).   They held office by way of appointment to office— not by the Sanhedrin but by way of the Roman (civil) authority — that of the Governor.   Therefore, their office was quasi-political. 

• The Bible teaches the 3 uses of the Law.   

• The placement of the 2nd temptation in Matthew 4 draws attention to the ecclesiastical use of the Law.  

• The Sermon On the Mount includes a theology of Civil Disobedience. Matt 5:41 - 42 & Matthew 7 are 2 good examples of it. 

• Yeshua’s sign act in Matthew 21 is designed to draw out the Sanhedrin & challenge their authority, their actions, & the content of their teaching.

• Annas & Caiphas are in office by way of Roman appointment. 

So, how is this not a political or quasi-political act? 

Just because the challenge is primarily ecclesiastical, it does mean the act was non-political, especially in light of the 3 uses of the Law & Gospel & the fact that Annas & Caiphas were politically appointed.   

In the Bible the 3 uses of the Law & Gospel overlap/impenetrate, just like the members of the Godhead / Trinity.   Therefore, the Cleansing of the Temple, the medical mission & ministry that followed it, & the confrontation of the Sanhedrin that culminates in the 7 judgments against them are all quasi-political acts.   


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