Word Search

Jesus Cleanses the Temple Word Search (Easy, Medium and Hard)

Free printable Jesus Cleanses the Temple word search in three levels, from 6 big words across and down to 16 words in every direction. Answer keys included.

Preschool–Grade 5 · Medium

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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages: Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5)
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 10 minutes
Scripture: John 2:13–17
Bible story: Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Use this word search after you teach Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13–17).

The story: When the Jews' passover was at hand, Jesus went up to Jerusalem and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting. He made a scourge of small cords, drove them all out of the temple with the sheep and the oxen, poured out the changers' money and overthrew the tables. He told them that sold doves to take these things hence and not to make His Father's house "an house of merchandise."

Talk about it: Big idea: Honor God's house, God's house is for worship, Jesus' zeal. Which word from the puzzle reminds you most of the story?

Three levels: easy (ages 4–6) has 6 big words that go only across and down; medium (grades K–2) has 10 words that also go diagonally; hard (grades 3–5) has 16 words that go every direction, even backwards. Each downloads with or without an answer key.

The Bible story

When the Jews' passover was at hand, Jesus went up to Jerusalem and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting. He made a scourge of small cords, drove them all out of the temple with the sheep and the oxen, poured out the changers' money and overthrew the tables. He told them that sold doves to take these things hence and not to make His Father's house "an house of merchandise." Read the whole story in John 2:13–17 (KJV).

Memory verse: "And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise." (John 2:16, KJV). It is printed on every level.

Words to find

Easy (ages 4–6, 6 words): Jesus, Temple, Oxen, Sheep, Doves and Money.
Medium (grades K–2, 10 words): Jesus, Temple, Passover, Jerusalem, Oxen, Sheep, Doves, Money, Tables and Zeal.
Hard (grades 3–5, 16 words): Jesus, Temple, Passover, Jerusalem, Oxen, Sheep, Doves, Money, Tables, Zeal, Scourge, Cords, Changers, Father, Disciples and House.

The words come from the story in John 2:13–17 (KJV). Before kids start, read the words aloud together and ask where each one is in the story.

Answer keys

Each level downloads two ways: the puzzle on its own, or with a second page that shows the answer (every word circled in red). Print the key for helpers, or let kids check their own work.

More for Jesus Cleanses the Temple: Jesus Cleanses the Temple Sunday school lesson, crossword and maze.

Frequently asked questions

What ages are these Jesus Cleanses the Temple word searches for?

The easy one (6 big words, across and down) is for ages 4–6, the medium one (10 words, with diagonals) for kindergarten to 2nd grade, and the hard one (16 words in every direction, even backwards) for 3rd to 5th grade.

Is there an answer key?

Yes. Every level downloads with or without its answer key, which circles each word in red.

Are these word searches free?

Yes. Print as many as you need for your church, school or home. Please don't resell them.

What words are in the Jesus Cleanses the Temple word search?

The easy level has Jesus, Temple, Oxen, Sheep, Doves and Money. The medium and hard levels add more words from John 2:13–17 (KJV); the full lists are on this page.