What’s peculiar about what the Jews said in verse 18?
They actually are not saying that what Jesus did -
cleansing the temple - was wrong. They are simply
asking Him to prove his authority to have done it.
How did Jesus respond?
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it
up” (John 2:19).
What do the Jews think Jesus meant by “Destroy this temple”?
Destroy the second temple of Jerusalem, which
King Herod commissioned to be built to replace the first temple that
had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC.
What had Jesus meant by “Destroy this temple”?
Crucify Me, and in three days I will rise from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection
will prove
His authority, as well as His identity. The ultimate proof of Jesus’ deity is
His
resurrection, without which Christianity would be a big waste of time:
And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is
pointless and your faith is also pointless... If the dead do not rise, “Let us
eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 32)
From this passage, did Jesus do some miracles after all
at this feast?
Yes, as per John 2:23, but at the time and place of His choosing.
Why didn’t Jesus commit Himself to them if they believed in His name?
They believed in His name as that of someone who heals and does other
miracles, but they didn’t see those miracles as signs of His deity. Jesus knew that those who desire and
believe in just the miracles will not truly believe in Him for who He is.
How is that different today?
It isn’t. Jesus
doesn’t want people who are after a wish-granting genie. True followers of
Jesus are those who
desire a deeply personal relationship with Him
for who He is - our Creator - and love Him for what He
already
did for us
two thousand years ago.
What draws you to or drives your curiosity about Jesus?