Matthew 21 12

Matthew 21:12 kjv

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Matthew 21:12 nkjv

Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

Matthew 21:12 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.

Matthew 21:12 esv

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.

Matthew 21:12 nlt

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.

Matthew 21 verses

Matthew 21 12 Meaning

Matthew 21:12 recounts Jesus' definitive action upon entering the temple courts, where He forcefully expelled those engaged in commerce and overturned the tables of money changers and the seats of dove sellers. This act signified a cleansing and purification of God's house, asserting His divine authority over the religious establishment, condemning the commercial exploitation of worship, and declaring the sacred space was to be a "house of prayer" rather than a "den of robbers."

Matthew 21 12 Context

This event immediately follows Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21:1-11), where He was acclaimed as the King and Son of David by the crowds. His entrance into the city, riding on a donkey, was a deliberate fulfillment of prophetic scripture, signaling His messianic claims. Going directly to the temple, as recounted in Matthew 21:12, is His next authoritative act as the newly acclaimed Messiah. This action sets a confrontational tone for the remainder of His time in Jerusalem leading up to His crucifixion, as it directly challenges the corrupt religious and economic establishment rooted in the temple. Historically, the temple was not merely a place of worship but a massive complex encompassing administrative and commercial activities essential for Passover pilgrims. Money changers facilitated the exchange of various currencies into the required temple shekel, and vendors sold sacrificial animals. While these services were necessary, they had become deeply entrenched in exorbitant pricing, exploitation, and illicit gain, profaning the holy site, especially the Court of the Gentiles, which was meant for prayer by all nations.

Matthew 21 12 Word analysis

• And Jesus: Connects Jesus' action directly to His preceding triumphal entry, establishing Him as the subject acting with authority.
• entered (εἰσῆλθεν - eiselthén): A strong verb indicating deliberate entrance and an assertion of presence and ownership, not merely a casual stroll.
• the temple (τὸ ἱερόν - to hierón): Refers to the entire temple precinct or complex, including the outer courts, most notably the Court of the Gentiles, which was where the commercial activities took place. This distinguishes it from the inner sanctuary (naos) where sacrifices occurred. The profanation of the outer court blocked its intended purpose as a "house of prayer for all nations" (Isa 56:7).
• of God: Explicitly states the temple's true owner, contrasting with those who treated it as their personal marketplace. It highlights Jesus' zeal for His Father's house.
• and cast out (ἐξέβαλεν - exébalen): A powerful, forceful verb, implying expulsion, driving out, or throwing out with conviction and authority, not a mere request or verbal condemnation.
• all those who were selling and buying: This phrase refers to the merchants engaged in buying and selling animals for sacrifice and other wares, indicating a widespread commercialization.
• in the temple: Reinforces the location of the transgression, highlighting the audacity of conducting such business in a sacred space.
• and overturned (κατέστρεψεν - katéstrepsen): Another strong, active verb, signifying overturning, overthrowing, or tearing down. This was a physical act of disruption and judgment, demonstrating divine power and righteous indignation.
• the tables of the money changers (κολλυβιστῶν - kollubistōn): The money changers were those who converted foreign currencies brought by pilgrims into the specific coinage accepted for temple offerings. They were often accused of usury and charging exorbitant exchange rates, exploiting worshippers.
• and the seats of those who were selling doves: Doves were the required sacrifice for the poor (Lev 1:14, 5:7, 12:8), making the exploitation of their sales a direct offense against the most vulnerable. This emphasizes the economic injustice intertwined with religious observance.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "entered...the temple of God": Jesus, the Lord of the Temple, enters His Father's house. This is a deliberate, sovereign act of purification, not simply a visit. It's an act of authority after His messianic entry.
  • "cast out...selling and buying...overturned...tables...seats": These are active, aggressive verbs illustrating righteous anger and decisive judgment against the desecration. The actions symbolize judgment on corrupted religious institutions that prioritize profit over piety.
  • "selling and buying in the temple," "money changers," "selling doves": These phrases highlight the pervasive commercialization and economic exploitation within the sacred precinct. This practice profaned a holy place and burdened pilgrims, especially the poor.
  • Polemics against contemporary beliefs: This action was a direct confrontation and polemic against the existing religious leadership (Pharisees, Sadducees) and their sanctioned practices within the temple. It challenged their authority, their economic corruption, and their distortion of God's house from a place of prayer for all nations to a localized, exploitative marketplace. It highlighted a spiritual blindness that saw religious ritual as an opportunity for personal gain, rather than pure worship and service.

Matthew 21 12 Bonus section

This act of temple cleansing occurs on what is traditionally known as "Holy Monday" in Holy Week, right after Palm Sunday. The placement of this event is significant, as it immediately follows Jesus' acceptance of kingly acclamation and precedes a week of intense confrontation with the religious authorities, culminating in His crucifixion. While John's Gospel places a similar temple cleansing at the beginning of Jesus' ministry (Jn 2:13-17), the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) locate this powerful demonstration of authority at the end, immediately before the Passover. This strategic timing in the Synoptics emphasizes its connection to Jesus' arrival as Messiah-King and as a direct challenge to the corrupt system He would ultimately overcome. The physical act of overturning tables highlights Jesus' willingness to disrupt ungodly systems and practices, even those deeply entrenched and financially powerful, demonstrating His authority over earthly institutions. This event would have fueled the opposition of the chief priests and Pharisees, viewing it as a direct threat to their authority and economic interests, setting the stage for their determination to eliminate Him.

Matthew 21 12 Commentary

Jesus' cleansing of the temple in Matthew 21:12 is a powerful messianic act demonstrating His divine authority and righteous indignation. It directly follows His triumphal entry, showcasing that His kingship includes purifying worship and upholding God's honor. By driving out the merchants and money changers, Jesus was not merely condemning commerce itself, but the corrupt system that exploited worshippers, especially the poor, and desecrated the Court of the Gentiles, meant for prayer for all nations. This prophetic action, echoing Old Testament denunciations of ritualism without righteousness, proclaimed that God's house was a "house of prayer," not a "den of robbers" (as He explicitly states in the next verse). It foreshadows God's judgment on corrupt institutions and underscores Jesus' zeal for the true purpose of worship. It illustrates that genuine devotion requires holiness and justice, prioritizing relationship with God over profitable gain or external ceremony.

• Example: Just as Jesus cleansed the physical temple, believers are called to cleanse their own lives from practices that dishonor God (e.g., covetousness, spiritual compromise), making their lives true "temples" for the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16).
• Example: Jesus' action highlights that Christian ministry must prioritize genuine spiritual care over personal gain, upholding integrity in all service.