the nations (p. 44). According to his own testimony, this fundamental purpose is what lies behind the cleansing of the Temple: to remove whatever obstacles there may be to the common recognition and worship of God—and thereby to open up a space for common worship. A similar conclusion may be drawn from a brief scene recounted by John concerning “Palm Sunday”. We must of course remember that in John’s account, the Temple cleansing took place during Jesus’ first Passover, at the beginning of his ministry.