In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables.
Parallel translations
- WEB He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.
- KJV And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
- NKJV And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
- NASB And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.
- NLT In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In the temple Jesus found merchants selling sacrificial animals and money changers at their tables. The sacred place had been turned into a site of commerce.
Overview
The temple courts hosted trade in animals for sacrifice and currency exchange for the temple tax — services that, however convenient, had displaced reverent worship in the court meant for prayer. Jesus' discovery of this scene sets up His decisive action. His concern is for the holiness of His Father's house and true worship of God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Luke 19:45–46Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there.
- Mark 11:15When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.
- Mark 11:17Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
- Matt 21:12–13Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.
- Deut 14:23–26And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
- Mal 3:1–3“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
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Original language
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