>>>
Matthew 21:12, 13 - Temple Cleansing.

Matthew 21:12, 13 (NIV) 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 benches of those selling doves. 13 
"It is written," he said to them, "'My house 
will be called a house of prayer,' but you are 
making it a 'den of robbers.'" 

INTRODUCTION

This is the second time Jesus cleared the 
temple (see John 2:13-17). Merchants and money 
changers set up their booths in the court of the 
Gentiles in the temple, crowding out the Gentiles who 
had come from all over the civilized world to 
worship God. The merchants sold sacrificial animals 
at high prices, taking advantage of those who 
had come long distances. The money changers 
exchanged all international currency for the special 
temple coins - the only money the merchants would 
accept. They often deceived foreigners who didn't 
know the exchange rates. Their commercialism in 
God's house frustrated people's attempts at 
worship. This, of course, greatly angered Jesus. Any 
practice that interferes with worshiping God should 
be stopped. [Life Application SB] 

At the beginning of His ministry, Christ had 
driven from the temple those who defiled it by 
their unholy traffic; and His stern and godlike 
demeanor had struck terror to the hearts of the 
scheming traders. At the close of His mission He came 
again to the temple, and found it still desecrated 
as before. The condition of things was even 
worse than before. The outer court of the temple 
was like a vast cattle yard. With the cries of 
the animals and the sharp chinking of coin was 
mingled the sound of angry altercation between 
traffickers, and among them were heard the voices of men 
in sacred office. The dignitaries of the temple 
were themselves engaged in buying and selling and 
the exchange of money. So completely were they 
controlled by their greed of gain that in the sight of 
God they were no better than thieves. DA589 

COMMENTARY 

How We Live " Revering God
   Upon entering the Temple, Jesus found 
merchants selling items for sacrifice and money 
changers charging exorbitant exchange rates. Jesus 
became justifiably angry that a house of worship 
had become a place of extortion and a barrier to 
those who wanted to focus on God.  
   As a new believer, you've gone from 
taking Sabbath as just another weekend day to 
setting it aside to go to church for teaching, 
fellowship, and worship. Or maybe you've gone to church 
all your life but only out of habit or coercion; 
now church has taken on new meaning. 
   Depending on the type of church you 
attend, you will find many different styles of 
worship. No particular style is by necessity right or 
wrong. What matters is whether what is done is done 
to God's glory. The focus of worship must be 
God himself, and there must be no genuine 
barrier to your focusing on him.  
   As you enter the doors of your church, 
think about why you're there. As you take your 
seat, say a quick prayer, asking God to draw close 
and teach you something new. Ask him to help 
church be a time of confession, reflection, 
instruction, and inspiration. [The One Year Bible for New 
Believers re Luke 19:45, 46 mod.] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   When my beloved grandma died, I helped 
Mom clean out my grandma's house. It took over a 
week to get rid of seventy-six years of junk 
(excuse me, treasures). That first day, Mom told me 
to set aside anything I wanted. I said, "All I 
care about are some of her paintings." Grandma 
was a self-taught artist. Her breathtaking oil 
paintings of mountain scenes and still-life flowers 
helped me feel close to her - as if she wasn't 
really gone. 
   But as the week progressed, my heart 
filled with greed. Every time I walked into a room, 
another item would catch my eye. By the time I left 
for my home, my car was filled with stuff. Most 
of which I later gave away. 
   On the Monday after Palm Sunday, Jesus 
demonstrated what God thinks of greed. Merchants who were 
selling animals for sacrifices and exchanging 
foreign currency in the temple were making a mockery 
of God's house. In a moment of justified anger, 
Jesus drove out the money changers and all their 
animals. He cleansed His Father's house, reminding 
them of the temple's original purpose: to meet 
with God. 
   Whenever I'm tempted to want more than I 
need, I remember that ugly feeling of greed I 
experienced while cleaning Grandma's house. I remind 
myself that GOD'S HOUSE - MY HEART - IS MEANT FOR 
FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM. Jeanette Levellie 
   Faith Step: ASK JESUS TO SHOW YOU IF YOUR 
HEART NEEDS CLEANSING OF ANY TYPE OF GREED. 
IMAGINE YOURSELF, WITH JESUS BESIDE YOU, DRIVING OUT 
THE GREED AND DEDICATING YOUR HEART - GOD'S 
HOUSE - AS A PLACE OF PRAYER. [Mornings With Jesus 
2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan re 
Luke 19:45, 46] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC

John 17:17 - Holiness from God's Word.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201007-1438.html 

2 Corinthians 3:18 - More and More Like 
Jesus! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210920-0920.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs