The rank two Jacobi algebra \(\mathcal {J}_2\) is used to provide an interpretation of the two-variable Jacobi polynomials \(J_{n,k}^{(a,b,c)}(x,y)\) on the triangle, as overlaps between two representation bases. The subalgebra structure of \(\mathcal {J}_2\) depicted via a pentagonal graph is exploited to find the explicit expression of the two-variable functions in terms of univariate Jacobi polynomials. It is also seen to provide an explanation for the fact that the expansion on the basis \(J_{n,k}^{(a,b,c)}(x,y)\) of the polynomials obtained from the latter by permuting the variables \(x,y, z=1-x-y\) and the parameters (a, b, c) is given in terms of Racah polynomials. The underlying order-three symmetry is discussed.