“The Jews passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting.”
This seems to be the first Passover after the Lord Jesus began His public teaching. At that time Jewish men came from all countries, as the temple was the only place sacrifices were to be offered. Very many animals were used, and many gifts of money were given.
All should have been in praise to God; instead, it was as a market place to make money. The gifts were to be in special money, so men charged fees to make the changes, which was contrary to their laws (Ex. 30:1-16; Deut. 23:19; Deut, 14:24-25).
True Zeal
Jesus was grieved to see the business there, and He made a scourge (a whip of leather cords) and drove out the sheep and oxen, and told the men selling doves to take them away. He overturned the tables of the money changers, and said, “Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise” (a place to buy and sell).
“The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up” (Psa. 69:9). That His Father should not be dishonored was more to Him than all else.
But the men in charge of the temple were indignant, although they knew the laws of God, and that it was entirely wrong for them to allow such things. They asked Jesus to show “a sign” of His right to do this.
The Son of God
His words, “My Father’s house,” were the same as to say He was the Son of God, and explained the reason for His right to clear God’s house of what was wrong.
These men had not believed the answer of the prophet John that Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Holy One. If they had, they would have known His authority and have been ashamed at their wicked ways.
But Jesus gave them a sign; He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Sign
They did not understand that. They knew the temple had been many years in building, and they asked how he could build it in three days. They meant to ridicule Him.
But “the sign” He told them was really a prophecy of His own death. They would try to “destroy” Him on the cross, and He would rise in three days. If they had believed the Scriptures they would have known that the Holy One to come was their true “Temple,” for it was only by Him they could be blessed and God could be worshipped; He was their real “altar,” “ark” and “mercy seat.”
After He was crucified they only wanted His tomb made more sure (Matt. 27:62-64). They did not give up their evil ways.
Further Meditation:
1. How did Jesus show that He was God?
2. Why did they have moneychangers in the temple in the first place?
3. If you would like to know more about the moneychangers and many other cultural references found in the Word of God then you might find Manners and Customs of the Bible by J. M. Freeman a very useful resource. It has an index but is arranged from Genesis to Revelation making it a nice accompaniment to any study of the Scriptures.