They quarreled among themselves as to who should have precedence in this kingdom.
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest" (Luke XXII:24).
[33] None of these multitudes seem to have been on hand a few days later to ask Jesus' release from Pilate (Matt. XXVII:15, 17, 22, 23).
[34] This cleansing of the temple is related by John as one of Jesus' first acts, immediately after the marriage in Cana (John II:14-17).
[35] There is a marked difference between these latest utterances of Jesus and His first preaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Then He was enthusiastic, filled with the hope of converting the Jews, and establishing His Father's spiritual kingdom on earth. Now He is disappointed, realizing that His death is near, that His religious teachings have been rejected by practically all of His people, and that He will leave behind Him a mere handful of followers, few, if any, of whom yet understand the true meaning of His religion. The spirit of the Sermon on the Mount is love for one another, kindness active in every-day life, charity for others' shortcomings, leniency in judging and punishing offenders. But His later sayings abound in bitter censure of the Pharisees and others who have thwarted His work, of denunciation of all evil-doers, of promises of reward to His followers, and of predictions of severe punishment for those who reject His teachings.
Thus in the Sermon on the Mount He says:
"Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy" (Matt. V:7).
"Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. V:9).
"Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way; first be reconciled with thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matt. V:23, 24).
"Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him" (Matt. V:25).