Palm Sunday: Let’s Talk About Flipping Tables

James Tissot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Holy Week Reading Plan: Matthew 21:1-17

“Jesus flipped tables!”

You’ve probably heard Christians use this as justification when they act out in anger. 

All four gospels document the story of Jesus flipping tables and cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48; John 2:13-16). 

It’s important to note that Jesus flipping tables was not a one-time thing. Many scholars argue that the account in John’s gosp...