Why did Christ drive the sellers and money changers from the temple and what can we learn from it?

[unworthyservant]

A story of Christ "cleansing the temple" is found in all four of the Gospels. Matthew 21:12-17 Mark 11:15-19 Luke 19:45-48 and John 2:12-25

There has always been some debate about whether there was one incident or two. This is mainly due to differences from the conical Gospels and John's version. I see that particular subject has been covered here already and I don't intend to get deeply into whether it was one incident or two as that is not the point of this discussion. I do want to look at one big difference in the accounts. It is what Christ actually said as He was clearing the temple. 

In Matthew (KJV) we read "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." In Mark we read; "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." and in Luke; "It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.". I want to hone in on the last phrase. Notice in all 3 the last phrase is "you have made it a den of thieves", of course referring to the temple. In all three instances the word in the Greek used is lēstōn (Strongs Greek 3027, the link is to Strong's). It is translated as thieves or robbers. Then in John we read in the KJV; "Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." Here the word in the Greek is emporiou (Strong's 1712) and it's translated merchandise. (sorry, the second link doesn't seem to work)

So, let's look at what these money changers and sellers were actually doing that made Christ drive them from the temple. I've heard the argument that they were charging exorbitant fees or amounts for their wares or services, but can find no credible evidence to support that theory. The only thing we know for sure is that they were selling things needed to worship God for their own profit. That's what the Bible tells us! Christ was consistent in that He taught us to "freely give" the Gospel. He told every disciple whom He ordained to preach to take no gold or silver for their efforts. I think given the evidence and the circumstances, this is just an extension of those teachings. Christ was admonishing them for profiting from the worship of God. 

Today, we have way too many people to list here profiting from either preaching the Gospel, writing about it or selling merchandise related to Christianity and the Gospel. You can purchase everything from expensive Bibles, to books written on every single verse in the Bible, to crosses or crucifixes made of everything from wood to gold and diamonds, to bumper stickers, to t-shirts and all sorts of miscellany. Not counting Bibles (with sales estimated at $430M annually), Christian books sales bring in an estimated $750M, out of Approximately $1.2B in religious books in general. While actual numbers for recorded Christian music sales are hard to pin down, according to Patheos "the gospel music industry has matured into an almost $1 billion-a-year business". Almost $600 million is spent annually on audio equipment and instruments for performing church music. According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for a professional Gospel singer is $261,533. I can't find reliable numbers for all the other Christian merchandise, but suffice it to say that it is a big business. 

So, let's just break down the numbers we have. Between just books and music we have over $2B. Last year approximately 700,000 people are homeless in America. That would break down to over $2800 per homeless person. To feed a starving child in Africa costs around $20 per month. That comes out to 100 million months of food for a starving child. This doesn't even count all the money profited by "preachers" or musicians or all the other Christian merchandise. So, we must ask ourselves, what would God rather we do with all that money? Spend it on things to worship Him or worship Him by doing what Christ taught us to do with our money, and use it to help those less fortunate? Christ drove out those who were making the profit but these days the only way they can make the profit is if Christians support them instead of using our money to help those in need. Just saying.

[LaMonte]

Recently I've been examining the whole issue of Christian merchandising and asking the question: Why does practically every ministry sell things to other believers (biblical teachings through books, tapes, seminars, music, movies etc.)? These are things sold within the body of believers aimed at believers. How are we to view this in light of what our Lord spoke, " In the temple he found those who where selling oxen, sheep, and pigeons, and the moneychangers at their business. ... And he told those who sold, ‘Take these things away; you shall not make my father’s house a house of merchandise.' " (John 2:14-16)?

When I was saved 58 years ago VBS was free it was a outreach to the unbelieving world, now I have noticed the churches in the area charge any where from $5 to $50 per child. I know Christ and his Apostles would never charge for the word. 

I believe most of us have been marketed to and have literally bought into a whole system that has its pattern from the world.  Few have ever questioned the initial premise and asked, " What is the basis for all of this?"

Yet, where is this practice in Scripture?  Did Jesus or any of the Apostles ever do this or sell anything related to teaching or the scrolls?  To the contrary you can read Isa. 45:13; 55:1, and 2 Cor.11:7.   There is no precedent for this in Scripture and there are actually prohibitions against this (see 1Tim.6:5; Jude 11).   Of course, there is also the admonition not to "peddle Gods word for profit (2Cor. 2:17).    When Jesus sent the disciples out he said, "give without pay " (Matt.10:8).

There is a contrast here, one of merchandise and one of a mutual giving. The essence of Christianity is love and sacrifice. Giving expecting nothing in return. When we set up a monetary exchange (by obligation) we tamper with God's whole plan.

 Another factor is that the line between business and church has been blurred. Some leaders, teachers, and evangelists live an extravagant, prosperous life (far beyond that of the flock) paid for by the sales and proceeds of their ministry.

I just love what John said ⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1Jo 2:6 KJV) I am so glad we have the word and Holy Spirit to guide us.

Matt 10:7-8 And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

If Jesus Christ gives His wisdom away free, what makes ours so valuable we have to put a price on it? The ‘Religious Retailing Era’ has done away with… “Matt 10:7-8 freely ye have received, freely give”.

When special teacher come such as on the family, marriage they usually charge money to listen to them. There is nothing wrong with a man or women being supported for teaching the word like the Apostles and early church leaders. The early church leader and the Apostle live by faith as people freely gave to them they were taken care of. In the early church this was also how the widows and poor were taken care of. But today it is a Business or a job where they expect a certain amount. I have heard statements like we just hired are pastor or elders or leadership. I always thought it was a CALLING not a job. 

 

[timf]

If there was a single item that connected God to the nation of Israel, it was the temple. It was supposed to be a picture of things in heaven, it was supposed to be the means to fulfill the law God had given the nation. In a way, the cleaning of the temple was a revolutionary call. If people had joined with Jesus in repudiating their practices, there might have been hope that they could have received their earthly kingdom.

The priesthood had become a organizational system with monumental generational inertia. To be able to break free and return to what God had instructed them would have required them to value God more than men.

Mat_15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

We can see the sadness Jesus had for those who were so integrated into the routine of their daily lives that there was no room for thoughts of God.

Mat_23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

I would urge caution in the temptation to look down on Israel considering the deafness of Israel to the words and actions of Jesus. The takeaway here is to evaluate ourselves to gauge the degree to which our own habits have grown to divert us from the life Jesus would have us live.

[AdHoc]

On 4/27/2025 at 1:21 AM, unworthyservant said:

A story of Christ "cleansing the temple" is found in all four of the Gospels. Matthew 21:12-17 Mark 11:15-19 Luke 19:45-48 and John 2:12-25

There has always been some debate about whether there was one incident or two. This is mainly due to differences from the conical Gospels and John's version. I see that particular subject has been covered here already and I don't intend to get deeply into whether it was one incident or two as that is not the point of this discussion. I do want to look at one big difference in the accounts. It is what Christ actually said as He was clearing the temple. 

In Matthew (KJV) we read "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." In Mark we read; "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." and in Luke; "It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.". I want to hone in on the last phrase. Notice in all 3 the last phrase is "you have made it a den of thieves", of course referring to the temple. In all three instances the word in the Greek used is lēstōn (Strongs Greek 3027, the link is to Strong's). It is translated as thieves or robbers. Then in John we read in the KJV; "Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." Here the word in the Greek is emporiou (Strong's 1712) and it's translated merchandise. (sorry, the second link doesn't seem to work)

So, let's look at what these money changers and sellers were actually doing that made Christ drive them from the temple. I've heard the argument that they were charging exorbitant fees or amounts for their wares or services, but can find no credible evidence to support that theory. The only thing we know for sure is that they were selling things needed to worship God for their own profit. That's what the Bible tells us! Christ was consistent in that He taught us to "freely give" the Gospel. He told every disciple whom He ordained to preach to take no gold or silver for their efforts. I think given the evidence and the circumstances, this is just an extension of those teachings. Christ was admonishing them for profiting from the worship of God. 

Today, we have way too many people to list here profiting from either preaching the Gospel, writing about it or selling merchandise related to Christianity and the Gospel. You can purchase everything from expensive Bibles, to books written on every single verse in the Bible, to crosses or crucifixes made of everything from wood to gold and diamonds, to bumper stickers, to t-shirts and all sorts of miscellany. Not counting Bibles (with sales estimated at $430M annually), Christian books sales bring in an estimated $750M, out of Approximately $1.2B in religious books in general. While actual numbers for recorded Christian music sales are hard to pin down, according to Patheos "the gospel music industry has matured into an almost $1 billion-a-year business". Almost $600 million is spent annually on audio equipment and instruments for performing church music. According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for a professional Gospel singer is $261,533. I can't find reliable numbers for all the other Christian merchandise, but suffice it to say that it is a big business. 

So, let's just break down the numbers we have. Between just books and music we have over $2B. Last year approximately 700,000 people are homeless in America. That would break down to over $2800 per homeless person. To feed a starving child in Africa costs around $20 per month. That comes out to 100 million months of food for a starving child. This doesn't even count all the money profited by "preachers" or musicians or all the other Christian merchandise. So, we must ask ourselves, what would God rather we do with all that money? Spend it on things to worship Him or worship Him by doing what Christ taught us to do with our money, and use it to help those less fortunate? Christ drove out those who were making the profit but these days the only way they can make the profit is if Christians support them instead of using our money to help those in need. Just saying.

By the time our Lord Jesus came to Israel, she was in total crisis. Many of the curses found in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 were present. I refer you to our Lord's account of the Vine bearing no fruit (Lk.13) Sickness, madness, demon possession, poverty, hog-industry and blindness were rife. Israel had introduced traditions that " made God's Word of none effect".

The Law of Moses required every Israelite male adult to bring his tithe to Jerusalem three times a year and feast on it and share it with the priests, the poor and the fatherless and widows. If the way was long, say from Dan up north, and the Lord had blessed you, you were allowed to sell your tithe at home, bind up the money in your hand and buy, in Jerusalem, the things you needed to feast (including strong drink) (Deut.14:22-29). Laziness set in and most of the Israelites chose this way out, even when they lived close to Jerusalem. But the evil was that the money changers sold second grade products for exorbitant prices and even sold blemished animals for use in the sacrifices.

This is the background for the event. But there is perhaps another reason for Christ's attack. Just before the cleansing of the money changers, He had been welcomed by the people and hailed as king. The Passover Lamb is to be inspected for 4 days for blemishes then killed. If Jesus wanted to die on Passover, He had to change the opinion of the people in 4 days. If anybody wants to get attention, all he/she has to do is touch people's money.

[unworthyservant]

5 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

If Jesus wanted to die on Passover, He had to change the opinion of the people in 4 days. If anybody wants to get attention, all he/she has to do is touch people's money.

So, it sounds like you are proposing that this was possibly a "staged event" to call attention to Himself and His ministry. I reject out of hand any notion that Christ "staged" any event just to get attention. I believe Christ said and did everything He said or did for one reason, because He was teaching us the way to salvation.  

[tharkun]

Jesus drove the money chagers from the temple becasue they had set up in the court of the Gentiles, thus preventing the Gentiles from approaching the God of Israel in genuine curiosity and/or seeking for the true God. This pointed to the failure of Israel to be the light unto the Gentiles like they were directed to be.

[Luther]

On 4/26/2025 at 9:59 PM, LaMonte said:

 

Recently I've been examining the whole issue of Christian merchandising and asking the question: Why does practically every ministry sell things to other believers (biblical teachings through books, tapes, seminars, music, movies etc.)? These are things sold within the body of believers aimed at believers. How are we to view this in light of what our Lord spoke, " In the temple he found those who where selling oxen, sheep, and pigeons, and the moneychangers at their business. ... And he told those who sold, ‘Take these things away; you shall not make my father’s house a house of merchandise.' " (John 2:14-16)?

When I was saved 58 years ago VBS was free it was a outreach to the unbelieving world, now I have noticed the churches in the area charge any where from $5 to $50 per child. I know Christ and his Apostles would never charge for the word. 

I believe most of us have been marketed to and have literally bought into a whole system that has its pattern from the world.  Few have ever questioned the initial premise and asked, " What is the basis for all of this?"

Yet, where is this practice in Scripture?  Did Jesus or any of the Apostles ever do this or sell anything related to teaching or the scrolls?  To the contrary you can read Isa. 45:13; 55:1, and 2 Cor.11:7.   There is no precedent for this in Scripture and there are actually prohibitions against this (see 1Tim.6:5; Jude 11).   Of course, there is also the admonition not to "peddle Gods word for profit (2Cor. 2:17).    When Jesus sent the disciples out he said, "give without pay " (Matt.10:8).

There is a contrast here, one of merchandise and one of a mutual giving. The essence of Christianity is love and sacrifice. Giving expecting nothing in return. When we set up a monetary exchange (by obligation) we tamper with God's whole plan.

 Another factor is that the line between business and church has been blurred. Some leaders, teachers, and evangelists live an extravagant, prosperous life (far beyond that of the flock) paid for by the sales and proceeds of their ministry.

I just love what John said ⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1Jo 2:6 KJV) I am so glad we have the word and Holy Spirit to guide us.

Matt 10:7-8 And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

If Jesus Christ gives His wisdom away free, what makes ours so valuable we have to put a price on it? The ‘Religious Retailing Era’ has done away with… “Matt 10:7-8 freely ye have received, freely give”.

When special teacher come such as on the family, marriage they usually charge money to listen to them. There is nothing wrong with a man or women being supported for teaching the word like the Apostles and early church leaders. The early church leader and the Apostle live by faith as people freely gave to them they were taken care of. In the early church this was also how the widows and poor were taken care of. But today it is a Business or a job where they expect a certain amount. I have heard statements like we just hired are pastor or elders or leadership. I always thought it was a CALLING not a job. 

 

You said: " I believe most of us have been marketed to and have literally bought into a whole system that has its pattern from the world."

100% correct. In fact our whole society is run by an anti- Christ cabal that works overtime to influence millions of people in the most ungodly way to live, and to manipulate currency so we remain slaves to their usury. All of this leads to a hopeless condition that can only be overcome by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. 

And yes, sadly many of these Christian artists are under contract by these same anti- Christ individuals. It's almost like they're paying them extra money not to mention the word Jesus Christ in their songs, to only say God.

Edited May 4 by Luther
correction.

[AdHoc]

On 5/4/2025 at 1:29 AM, unworthyservant said:

So, it sounds like you are proposing that this was possibly a "staged event" to call attention to Himself and His ministry. I reject out of hand any notion that Christ "staged" any event just to get attention. I believe Christ said and did everything He said or did for one reason, because He was teaching us the way to salvation.  

I said "maybe" - you said I "propose"
I said he might have provoked the people - you say I say He staged an event
I said He touched the people's money - you say I said "He called attention to His ministry"

Then you take the word "staged" as a fact and condemn me.

Sounds a bit like a "staged" law court.

Nevertheless - no offense taken - and I'm open to hear your reason how and why the the opinion of "the multitude" went from "hail King", in four days, to; 

 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matt.27:25).

God bless