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John 2:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 2:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up.
John 2:17 — American Standard Version

Context — John 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers` money, and overthrew their tables;
16and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father`s house a house of merchandise.
17His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for thy house shall eat me up.
18The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days?
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And his disciples remembered that it was written, etc.] In (<196909>Psalm 69:9), which Psalm belongs to the Messiah, as is manifest from the citations out of it in the New Testament, and the application of them to Christ, as in (<431525>John 15:25 19:28 <451503>Romans 15:3), compared with (<196904>Psalm 69:4,9,21). Christ is represented in it, as suffering for the sins of his people; for he himself was innocent; and was hated without a cause; but having the sins of his people imputed to him, he made satisfaction for them, and so restored what he took not away. His sufferings are spoken of in it as very great; and from it we learn, that they are fitly called, by himself, a baptism, which he…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“eaten me up--a glorious feature in the predicted character of the suffering Messiah (Psa 69:9), and rising high even in some not worthy to loose the latchet of His shoes. (Exo 32:19, &c.).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It was written ... - This is recorded in Psalms 69:9. Its meaning is, that he was affected with great zeal or concern for the pure worship of God. The zeal of thine house - “Zeal” is intense ardor in reference to any object. The “zeal of thine house” means extraordinary concern for the temple of God; intense solicitude that the worship there should be pure, and such as God would approve. Hath eaten me up - Hath absorbed me, or engaged my entire attention and affection; hath surpassed all other feelings, so that it may be said to be the one great absorbing affection and desire of the mind. Here is an example set for ministers and for all Christians. In Jesus this was the great commanding…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Psa 69:9. John 2:18”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“The zeal: Psa 69:9, Psa 119:139 John 2:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification