So today I was asked an interesting question at church, so I thought I would share the answer here as well.
What about the money changers upset Jesus so much that He overturned tables and whipped them with his cloak?
First you must understand the way the Temple was set up during the time of Jesus. This was NOT God’s design, but it was how it was when Jesus walked the earth.
First you had the Court of Gentiles. This was the only area the Gentiles were allow in and it was where the money changers were (remember this).
Next you had the Court of Women. This was as far as the women were allowed to go.
Then you had the outer courts of the Temple itself where only Jewish men were allowed.
The money changers, being in the Court of the Gentiles, were the only representatives of the Temple worship that the Gentiles would see. Their job was to change coins with pictures of idols on them for Temple coins. They also had tables where you could purchase animals for sacrifices. The problem was they were charging fees and basically ripping people off- not a good representation of the Jewish faith. AND, it was one of the only things the Gentiles could see regarding the Jewish worship of God.
Today this would be like the televangelists who use emotional methods to trick widows and others out of their life savings to support their greedy lifestyles. Do you see why Jesus was mad?
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