Why did Jesus cleanse the temple?

[NathanH83]

The money changers were simply selling animalls, so that the people who wanted to come a far distance to Jerusalem didn't have to haul a big animal the whole way. They could just take a bag of money with them, and exchange it for an animal at the temple, and then sacrifice that. So, what's so wrong with them providing this service? Why did Jesus call them thieves? It's not stealing to sell animals. I don't get it.

 

[Lamb]

There's more than one gospel reading that records this incident and Jesus gives the reason why it happened...he said that they were thieves.

 

[Josiah]

If Jesus said they were thieves, that's good enough for me. I don't need to know why, and I lack the ego to tell Jesus why.

 

[Andrew]

Rhetorical question? Scripture implies to me that money changers and taxes in general was something the Pharisees were somewhat against or didn't care for.. Calling a taxman a sinner for his occupation and what not, also asking if they should pay taxes.. Perhaps the market of selling animals to sacrifice is similar to indulgences and Jesus knowing he would be the final sacrifice ran them out, buying your sins away in the temple is probably why he called it "a den of thieves"

 

[pinacled]

There's more than one gospel reading that records this incident and Jesus gives the reason why it happened...he said that they were thieves.

(A: Maftir) 19 (22) Adonai said to Moshe, “Here is what you are to say to the people of Isra’el: ‘You yourselves have seen that I spoke with you from heaven. 20 (23) You are not to make with me gods of silver, nor are you to make gods of gold for yourselves. (S: Maftir) 21 (24) For me you need make only an altar of earth; on it you will sacrifice your burnt offerings, peace offerings, sheep, goats and cattle. In every place where I cause my name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you. 22 (25) If you do make me an altar of stone, you are not to build it of cut stones; for if you use a tool on it, you profane it. 23 (26)

Likewise, you are not to use steps to go up to my altar; so that you won’t be indecently uncovered.’”

Haftarah Yitro: Yesha‘yahu (Isaiah) 6:1–7:6; 9:5(6)– 6(7) (A); 6:1–13 (S)

B’rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah Yitro: Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:21–30; 15:1–11; 19:16–30; Mark 7:5–15; 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30; Acts 6:1–7; Romans 2:17–29; 7:7–12; 13:8–10; Ephesians 6:1–3; 1 Timothy 3:1–14; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5–9; Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 12:18–29; Ya‘akov (James) 2:8–13; 1 Kefa (1 Peter) 2:9–10



According to His Word in Torah,
A sheer surface like water, instead of steps was to be given to those freely offering a sacrifice upon an altar of Fire.

 

[atpollard]

The money changers were simply selling animalls, so that the people who wanted to come a far distance to Jerusalem didn't have to haul a big animal the whole way. They could just take a bag of money with them, and exchange it for an animal at the temple, and then sacrifice that. So, what's so wrong with them providing this service? Why did Jesus call them thieves? It's not stealing to sell animals. I don't get it.

Objection: Stating facts not in evidence.

What ARE the facts ...
[Mat 21:12-17 NASB] 12 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. 13 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." 14 And [the] blind and [the] lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became indignant 16 and said to Him, "Do You hear what these [children] are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF'?" 17 And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

[Mar 11:15-18 NASB] 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.

[Jhn 2:13-22 NASB] 13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated [at their tables.] 15 And He made a scourge of cords, and drove [them] all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16 and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business." 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME." 18 The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?" 19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 The Jews then said, "It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?" 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

Moneychangers: exchange one national currency for another (by definition).

Merchants: sell animals for currency (by definition).

Some terms you might want to research on your own:
GENTILES
SECOND TEMPLE
OUTER COURT

 

[Albion]

Rhetorical question? Scripture implies to me that money changers and taxes in general was something the Pharisees were somewhat against or didn't care for.. Calling a taxman a sinner for his occupation and what not, also asking if they should pay taxes.. Perhaps the market of selling animals to sacrifice is similar to indulgences and Jesus knowing he would be the final sacrifice ran them out, buying your sins away in the temple is probably why he called it "a den of thieves"

Maybe maybe maybe. What's wrong with taking the testimony of the Bible as it is given?

 

[NathanH83]

So, basically none of you know.

 

[Lamb]

So, basically none of you know.

I bet you don't either

 

[JRT]

I do not believe that Jesus was intent on starting a new religion. To me, he wanted a complete reform of second temple Judaism. Going after the notorious profiteers publicly was his approach. Unfortunately it triggered a deadly response from the High Priesthood and the Roman authorities.

 

[atpollard]

So, basically none of you know.

I know that you did not look up those terms and read the actual scriptures.

I know that the moneychangers converted foreign currency into temple currency.
I know that the temple tax had to be paid in temple currency.
I know that the moneychangers received no salary for their work, but were “paid” by keeping a percentage of each transaction.
I know the temple priests received a fee for the “right” to be a temple moneychanger.
I know that their dishonesty was bad enough to be commented on in the contemporary secular writings.

I know that nowhere in the OT Law is it required for merchant transactions to take place within the Temple (or the Tabernacle before it).
I know that there were THREE courtyards in the Second Temple as rebuilt by Herod the Great ... an Inner Court where only the Priest and the man presenting his offering could go ... a Middle Court where only Jewish men and women who were ceremonially clean could go ... and an Outer Court where those Ceremonially unclean and all foreigners could go to worship God.

Most of the people that Jesus healed would not have been permitted beyond the Outer Courtyard.
The Outer Courtyard is where the moneychangers and animal merchants were conducting business making worship impossible.
Reread what Jesus said about the Temple.

I also know that you did not come here with an honest question, you came trolling with a question whose answer you had already made up your mind about. It is perfectly OK to reject what Scripture says a choose to believe your own interpretation.

Here are three definitions to help you on your way:

ORTHODOX: Having a view conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds and traditions of the early Church.

HETERODOX: Having a view not conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds and traditions of the early Church, but not contradicting Scripture.

HERETICAL: Having a view contradictory to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds and traditions of the early church and the explicit writings of Scripture.


So a Lutheran can consider his views as ORTHODOX (I know of no deviation from the traditions of the Early Church) while a Baptist (like myself) is HETERODOX because the church traditionally baptized babies, but the Scripture is not explicit. Your view that Jesus intended to “fix” the Temple sacrifice and things just got out of hand is HERETICAL, because it is directly contradicted by Jesus’ own words.

 

[NathanH83]

I know that you did not look up those terms and read the actual scriptures.

I know that the moneychangers converted foreign currency into temple currency.
I know that the temple tax had to be paid in temple currency.
I know that the moneychangers received no salary for their work, but were “paid” by keeping a percentage of each transaction.
I know the temple priests received a fee for the “right” to be a temple moneychanger.
I know that their dishonesty was bad enough to be commented on in the contemporary secular writings.

I know that nowhere in the OT Law is it required for merchant transactions to take place within the Temple (or the Tabernacle before it).
I know that there were THREE courtyards in the Second Temple as rebuilt by Herod the Great ... an Inner Court where only the Priest and the man presenting his offering could go ... a Middle Court where only Jewish men and women who were ceremonially clean could go ... and an Outer Court where those Ceremonially unclean and all foreigners could go to worship God.

Most of the people that Jesus healed would not have been permitted beyond the Outer Courtyard.
The Outer Courtyard is where the moneychangers and animal merchants were conducting business making worship impossible.
Reread what Jesus said about the Temple.

I also know that you did not come here with an honest question, you came trolling with a question whose answer you had already made up your mind about. It is perfectly OK to reject what Scripture says a choose to believe your own interpretation.

Here are three definitions to help you on your way:

ORTHODOX: Having a view conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds and traditions of the early Church.

HETERODOX: Having a view not conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds and traditions of the early Church, but not contradicting Scripture.

HERETICAL: Having a view contradictory to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds and traditions of the early church and the explicit writings of Scripture.


So a Lutheran can consider his views as ORTHODOX (I know of no deviation from the traditions of the Early Church) while a Baptist (like myself) is HETERODOX because the church traditionally baptized babies, but the Scripture is not explicit. Your view that Jesus intended to “fix” the Temple sacrifice and things just got out of hand is HERETICAL, because it is directly contradicted by Jesus’ own words.

Were they practicing usury?

 

[popsthebuilder]

So, basically none of you know.

Money has nothing to do with worship of the living GOD. people where doing business in the temple of GOD as opposed to worshipping and praying and focusing on the things of GOD. A focus on the things of man; especially money and greed; cause one to vere from GOD.

Money isn't of any value in HIS kingdom.

Sent from my moto g(7) supra using Tapatalk

 

[Andrew]

I feel that selling and buying sacrificial animals (to cover ones sins) in Gods house was basically what the Catholic church did later on when they sold indulgences

 

[Josiah]

So, basically none of you know.

Old proverb: The wise man admits when he does not know, the fool claims to know and then proves he does not." Not that that applies here; just a good proverb.



.

 

[JRT]

Micah 6:6 With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.

 

[atpollard]

Were they practicing usury?

[Sarcasm Monday]
You convinced me.
You are correct.
The Moneychangers were righteous.
Jesus was mistaken, bore false witness and sinned.
We are ALL damned because there is no spotless “Lamb of God” to take away our sins.

I think I’ll head off and rob a liquor store and get drunk ... what difference does it make.
[/sarcasm Monday]

 

[NathanH83]

[Sarcasm Monday]
You convinced me.
You are correct.
The Moneychangers were righteous.
Jesus was mistaken, bore false witness and sinned.
We are ALL damned because there is no spotless “Lamb of God” to take away our sins.

I think I’ll head off and rob a liquor store and get drunk ... what difference does it make.
[/sarcasm Monday]

I was being serious.

 

[Andrew]

I was being serious.

I imagine it's a lot like tithing abuse.. A missionary priest in the OT needed food and drink for his journey and it was expected of Jews to reserve a portion of crops or livestock etc for the many priests who traveled throughout the land.. for they are men of God you are sacrificing some of your revenue to offer for the priests thus pleasing God.
Jesus however preached that the Father will supply your needs and not to worry about what you will eat and so when he saw that his Fathers house had turned into a marketplace it infuriated him, the priests themselves were selling animals out in the open and profiting off of others sin day in and day out, hardly the same as sacrificing your own livestock, this temple exchange was probably breaking people and instead of counseling or emphasizing on repenting of sin instead of just "covering" them with animal sacrifice, the house of God was becoming a den of thieves.. not just by taking money from sinners but by abusing the sacrament to buy off your sins out of daily habit without discipline or remorse..
I imagine the practise of selling animals for sacrifice wasn't unusual before the time of Christ but it wasn't like the market place visuals we picture in our heads when we read what Jesus had witnessed in the temple.. It was definitely abused and out of any respected moderation by that time, still reminds me of the selling of indulgences that allowed sinners to purchase their lot in Heaven instead of by Christ's sacrifice and redemption upon repentance.. Scripture tells us that no man can just walk into a church and walk out forgiven, Jesus indeed had a hatred for adding monetary interest to Gods word.