Which gospel records Jesus cleansing the Temple at the start of his ministry?

• A. Matthew
• B. John
• C. Luke
• D. Mark

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is understanding how the temple cleansing is placed differently in the Gospel accounts. In the Gospel of John, Jesus cleanses the temple at the very start of his public ministry, during the Passover in Jerusalem, signaling his authoritative role and beginning his mission. By contrast, the synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—relate the cleansing as occurring in the final week of Jesus’ life, just before his crucifixion, highlighting a climactic confrontation with temple authorities. Because the question asks which gospel records the cleansing at the start of his ministry, the best answer is John. John uses this early event to frame Jesus’ identity and purpose from the outset, even linking it to the language about destroying and raising the temple in three days, pointing to Jesus’ body as the true temple.