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Monday

Jesus at the temple of Jerusalem 

Mark 11:15-19

Luke 19: 45-48

 

Mark 11:15-19

Jesus Drives Money Changers from the Temple

15 Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.

19 When evening came, they would go out of the city.

This is the second time Jesus has cleaned out the temple.  This was a place of worship and prayer.  However, the religious leaders had turned God’s house into a money-making scheme in which they benefited.  Animals were needed for sacrifice, and instead of people bringing these animals for fear they might not be approved by the priest (without blemish), merchants provided “blemish-less” animals at the temple site.  The sellers either belonged to the priestly hierarchy or paid tremendous fees to be able to sell their animals.  Thus, the temple had turned into a great place of business and money-making, taking advantage of the worshippers.  Money changers were those who exchanged Greek and Roman coins for Jewish or Tyrian coins, which Jewish males had to use for payment of religious services.  A fee of up to twelve percent was charged for the service, again taking financial advantage of those coming to worship.  

This place was a busy marketplace with no regard to the holiness of whose house it belonged, God.  Jesus would not permit it any longer and put a stop to their daily mundane activities of business in the temple that is designed for respect, honor, worship, and holiness.

In an act of righteous anger, Jesus overturned the tables and began to drive out all those doing this business in the temple.

17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ [a]den.” Mark 11:17 (NASB)

The people were astonished as His teachings were like no other; they were teaching of authority.  The chief priests and the scribes were even more furious than when Jesus rode into town with folks singing His praises.  Their income was getting interrupted by a man the crowd was looking to with authority.  This caused evil, corrupt feelings which led to meetings to see how they could destroy Jesus.

Jesus’ practice was not to stop teaching the first three days of Passion Week until sunset, when people would disperse and the city gates were about to be closed.