Description of the Treasury in John 8:20
The Treasury in John 8:20
John 8:20 states, "These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come" [1]. The treasury refers to a specific location within the Temple complex in Jerusalem.
The treasury was not a separate building but rather a section of the Temple court where thirteen brazen chests, or "trumpets," were located. These chests were used for collecting offerings from worshippers [2]. The treasury was situated in the Court of the Women, an area of the Temple that was accessible to both men and women [3, 4].
The Court of the Women was a significant location for Jesus' teaching ministry. According to Mark 12:41, Jesus sat opposite the treasury, observing people as they made their offerings [6]. This location allowed Him to teach a diverse audience, including both men and women [4].
The thirteen chests in the treasury were designated for various purposes, including voluntary offerings, sin offerings, and sacrifices [2, 8]. John Gill notes that six of the chests were for freewill offerings, while the others were for specific types of sacrifices or offerings [8].
The fact that Jesus taught in the treasury, a public and prominent location within the Temple, highlights the openness and boldness of His ministry. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown observe, Jesus "spake freely, and without reserve" in this setting [5, 7].
The treasury is also mentioned in other Gospel accounts, including Mark 12:41 and Luke 21:1. In these passages, Jesus is seen observing the offerings of worshippers, including a poor widow who gives two mites [6].
The historical context of the treasury is significant. The Temple complex was a central location for Jewish worship and sacrifice during the time of Jesus. The treasury was an integral part of this complex, serving as a collection point for offerings and sacrifices [2, 3].
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the audacity of the Jews in seeking to arrest Jesus despite His previous escapes [9]. This highlights the tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities, which is a recurring theme in the Gospel of John.
Sources
- John “John 8:20 (NASB) — These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Treasury — (Matt. 27:6; Mark 12:41; John 8:20). It does not appear that there was a separate building so called. The name was given to the thirteen brazen chests, called "trumpets," from the form of the opening into which the offerings of the temple worshippers were put. These stood in the outer "court of the women." "Nine chests were for the appointed money-tribute and for the sacrifice-tribute, i.e., money-gifts instead of the sacrifices; four chests for freewill-offerings for wood, incense, temple decoration, and burnt-offerings" (Lightfoot's Hor. Heb.).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Treasury — (Mark 12:41; Luke 21:1) a name given by the rabbins to thirteen chests in the temple, called trumpets from their shape. They stood in the court of the women. It would seem probable that this court was sometimes itself called "the treasury" because it contained these repositories.”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 8:20: 8:20 The Treasury was located in the section of the Temple called the Court of the Women. Jesus often taught there so that both men and women could hear him (Mark 12:41). • his time: See notes on John 2:4; 12:23.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 8:18: These words spake Jesus in the treasury,.... The place where the thirteen chests stood, into which the people put their voluntary contributions for the sacrifices, and service of the temple: the Ethiopic version renders it, "at the alms chest"; See Gill on Mar 12:41. The design of this observation of the evangelist, is to suggest to us, that it was in a very public place, in the temple, openiy, that Christ delivered the above words: as he taught in the temple; where the Jews resorted, where his ministry was public, and he spake freely, and without reserve; in a very b”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 21 (introduction): THE WIDOW'S TWO MITES. (Luk 21:1-4) looked up--He had "sat down over against the treasury" (Mar 12:41), probably to rest, for He had continued long standing as he taught in the temple court (Mar 11:27), and "looking up He saw"--as in Zaccheus' case, not quite casually. the rich, &c.--"the people," says Mar 12:41 "cast money into the treasury, and many rich east in much"; that is, into chests deposited in one of the courts of the temple to receive the offerings of the people towards its maintenance (Kg2 12:9; Joh 8:20).”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 8:20: These words spake Jesus in the treasury--a division, so called, of the fore court of the temple, part of the court of the women [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 19.6.2, &c.], which may confirm the genuineness of Joh 8:2-11, as the place where the woman was brought. no man laid hands on him, &c.--(See on Joh 7:30). In the dialogue that follows, the conflict waxes sharper on both sides, till rising to its climax, they take up stones to stone him.”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 12:38: Which devour widows' houses,.... See Gill on Mat 23:14. . Mark 12:41 mar 12:41 mar 12:41 mar 12:41And Jesus sat over against the treasury,.... the Arabic version reads, "at the door of the treasury"; the place where the chests stood, into which money was put for various uses: there were thirteen chests in the temple (d); six of them were, for voluntary oblations, or freewill offerings; for what remained of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the turtles; for those that had fluxes, and for new mothers; and of the sacrifices of the Nazarite, and of ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Homily LIII. John viii. 20 “These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as He taught in the Temple; and no man laid hands on Him, for His hour was not yet come.” [1.] Oh the folly of the Jews! seeking Him as they did before the Passover, and then having found Him in the midst of them, and having often attempted to take Him by their own or by others’ hands without being able; they were not even so awed by His power, but set themselves to their wickedness, and desisted not. For it saith, that they continually made the attempt; “These words spake He in th”