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Chapter 16—Christ Confronts Corruption in the
Temple
This chapter is based on
John 2:12-22
.
“The Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem.” Jesus had not yet publicly announced His mission, and
He mingled unnoticed with the throng. On these occasions, the com-
ing of the Messiah was often the theme of conversation. Jesus knew
that the hope of national greatness was to be disappointed, for it was
founded on a misinterpretation of Scripture. With deep earnestness
He explained the prophecies and tried to arouse the people to a closer
study of God’s Word.
At Jerusalem during the Passover week large numbers assembled
from all parts of Palestine, and even from distant lands. The temple
courts were filled with a promiscuous throng. Many were unable to
bring with them the sacrifices that were to be offered as typifying
the one great Sacrifice. For the convenience of these, animals were
bought and sold in the outer court.
Every Jew was required to pay yearly “a ransom for his soul,”
and the money collected was used for the support of the temple.
See
Exodus 30:12-16
. Besides this, large sums were brought as
freewill offerings, to be deposited in the temple treasury. And it was
required that all foreign coin be changed for a coin called the temple
shekel, which was accepted for the service of the sanctuary. The
money changing gave opportunity for fraud and extortion, and it had
grown into a disgraceful traffic, which was a source of revenue to
the priests.
The worshipers had been taught to believe that if they did not
offer sacrifice, the blessing of God would not rest on their children or
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their lands. The dealers demanded exorbitant prices for the animals
sold and shared their profits with the priests and rulers, who thus
enriched themselves at the expense of the people.
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