Matthew 21:12. And Jesus went into the temple of God. On the day of His entry, He had entered it and ‘looked round' (Mark 11:11), as if to take formal possession of it. This entrance was on Monday to purify it; on Tuesday He took final leave of it (chap. Matthew 24:1). This was a fulfilment of the prophecy of Haggai (Matthew 2:9): ‘The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.'

Cast out, from the court of the Gentiles.

Gold and bought. A market was held there, for the sale of animals and those things necessary for the temple service. Not the less a desecration because so great a convenience.

Money changers. The temple tribute must be paid in Jewish coin (Exodus 30:13), while Roman money was at that time the currency of Palestine. The agents for collecting this tribute (chap. Matthew 17:24) probably found it more convenient to exchange money at Jerusalem, and may have themselves been the ‘money changers.'

The seats, or ‘stands.'

The doves. Needed for offerings by the poor and at the purification of women. No resistance seems to have been offered. The traffickers were doubtless awed by the superhuman authority and dignity of our Lord.

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Old Testament