As Easter approaches, the story of Jesus driving away the money changers in Matthew 21:12-17 offers a powerful glimpse into His passion for justice and reverence for God’s house. In Jesus’ time, people traveled from far and wide to worship in the temple at Jerusalem, often needing to exchange foreign currency to participate in temple offerings.
Unfortunately, many money changers took advantage of this, charging unfair rates to enrich themselves. In this passage, we see Jesus’ righteous anger as He clears the temple, reminding everyone that it is meant to be a house of prayer. This moment invites us to reflect on the importance of integrity, worship, and honoring God in our own lives.
Jesus Drives Away Money Changers from the Temple – Matthew Shares the Easter Story
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all 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.
And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” – Matthew 21:12-13 NASB
Jesus Drives Out the Sellers
This scene shows us plenty. And, it’s not just about trading goods or exchanging currencies. First, the temple was a place of worship, where people could come to offer sacrifices to God. And, it was also a place where people could learn, grow, and build relationships. It was the temple’s purpose to restore its sanctity and purpose as a house of prayer that sparked Jesus’ actions. Angry over the commercialization of the festival, Jesus drove the vendors out and called for a return to genuine worship and devotion.
Selling Sacrifices
When people traveled long and hard distances to reach the temple at Jerusalem, they found it difficult to bring an animal or dove with them on this journey. So, vendors would supply sacrifices for these travelers.
The merchants sold these sacrifices (at outrageous prices) to the Gentiles who came from far away lands to worship God and to hear the message. In order to buy the sacrifices they had no choice but to use local currency.
Enter, the money changer.
Rate of Exchange
To add insult to injury the money changers were not always honest when calculating the currency exchange rates and so they cheated the “customers” often.
All this took place right outside the temple of God! This commercialization distracted worshippers from their spiritual intentions. And, it diminished the temple’s role as a place of reverence and connection to God. The temple lost its authenticity because it prioritized commerce over worship.
House of Worship?
These money exchange areas and sacrifice booths were set up by the vendors – the yard became so full that the Gentiles were crowded out of the temple. They were unable to worship because of the hustle and bustle of “doing business” with money changers and merchants. So, Christ was not just upset with the buying, selling, and cheating. He was angered because cheaters hindered worship. Nothing should interfere with prayer and worship.
Does the Anger of Christ Against Money Changers in the Temple Contradict the Bible?
This has been debated many times as some have stated that Jesus broke his own interpretation of the commandment – “Thou shalt not murder.”.
When talking about the Ten Commandments He stated that even becoming angry with a person means that we have “murdered” them in our hearts.
Is This What Jesus Did?
Not at all. The anger Jesus displayed in the temple was controlled. Yes, He did become upset at the selling, the lying, and the cheating going on in His temple but let’s look on at what could have happened.
Remember the Fig Tree?
In Matthew 21 we’ll discover that Jesus spoke to a fig tree which was not producing fruit. This one verse helps to clarify. It states;
“.. He *said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.”
And at once the fig tree withered.”
Now, let’s put these two incidents together. What if Jesus was angry enough to murder the money changers?
What if He decided there was no hope for them? Could He not have spoken a word and killed everyone there just as He did with the fig tree?
Christ and the Money Changers Give a Revelation
Wow! This sheds a whole new avenue of possibilities, doesn’t it?
All through his three years of ministry, Jesus constantly revealed who He really was to the disciples.
The withered fig tree and the cleansing of the temple only reinforces the fact that Jesus has powers over life and death – IF and HOW He chooses to use them.
So no, I don’t believe that His anger at the corrupt money changers broke the commandment. I believe it only showed us a glimpse of the power (and mercy) of God.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to look at John 3:16 for clarity and choices.