Matthew 21:13

γέγραπται, it stands written, in Isaiah 56:7; from the Sept [115] but with omission of πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, retained in Mk., and a peculiarly appropriate expression in the circumstances, the abuse condemned having for its scene the court of the Gentiles. σπήλαιον λῃστῶν, a den of robbers, a strong expression borrowed from another prophet (Jeremiah 7:11), pointing probably to the avarice and fraud of the traders (τὸ γὰρ φιλοκερδὲς ληστρικὸν πάθος ἐστί, Theophy.), taking advantage of simple provincials. This act of Jesus has been justified by the supposed right of the zealot (Numbers 25:6; Numbers 25:13), which is an imaginary right: “ein unfindbar Artikel” (Holtz., H. C.), or by the reforming energy befitting the Messiah (Meyer). It needed no other justification than the indignation of a noble soul at sight of shameless deeds. Jesus was the only person in Israel who could do such a thing. All others had become accustomed to the evil.

[115] Septuagint.