Commentaries:
People's Commentary (NT)
Matthew 21:12
And Jesus went into the temple. According to Mark, on this day,
after the triumphal entry, he entered the temple, looked around,
perhaps to note the abuses, and then at eventide went out to Bethany
(Mark 11:11). The next day, returning, he again entered the temple,
and wrought the cleansing that is here recorded. He went into the
temple, not as a worshiper, but as its Lord.
Cast out all them. This casting of the traders out of the temple
is not to be confounded with that recorded in John, at the commencement
of Christ's ministry. See notes on John 2:13-17.
Them that sold and bought in the temple. A Market was held there
for the sale of animals and those things necessary for the temple
service. Not the less a desecration because so great a convenience. The
part of the temple occupied by the traders was not in the temple
proper, but the Court of the Gentiles. In the accompanying plan of the
temple, the open space next to the outer walls is the court.
Tables of the moneychangers. Money would be required, (1) to
purchase materials for the offerings; (2) to present as free-offerings
to the temple treasury (Mark 12:41 Lu 21:1); (3) to pay the yearly
temple tax of half a shekel due from every Jew, however poor. All this
had to be paid in native coin called the temple shekel, which was not
generally current. Strangers, therefore, had to change their Roman,
Greek, or Eastern money, at the stalls of the money-changers, to obtain
the coin required. This trade gave ready means for fraud, which was
only too common. Christ's act was a defiance to those who sought his
death.
Of them that sold doves. Required for poor women coming for
purification (Leviticus 12:6 Lu 2:24) from all parts of the country,
and for other offerings.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Matthew 21:12
Mark 11:15-19
Luke 19:28-40
Luke 19:45
John 2:16
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