Animals and Money Changers in the Temple - John 2:14

John the apostle shared how Jesus turned water into wine, and he wrote, “went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, ...”, and in chapter two and verse fourteen of his book, John shared how Jesus, “found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep … and the changers of money”, where we read:

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

The verse reads, “And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, ...” John began with the words, “And found in the temple” which means “and discovered, took knowledge of and recognized people within the sacred worship place” “those that sold oxen” which means “the people who were bartering and selling grazing oxen” “and sheep” or “and four footed tame animals accustomed to grazing” “and doves” which refers to “small birds like doves or pigeons”. John shared how Jesus discovered “merchandisers” within the temple who were dealing in “oxen, sheep and doves”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and the changers of money sitting:” John continued with the words, “and the changers of money” which means “and the people who handled coins or brokered money” “sitting” or “seated or set down”. John shared how Jesus also discover people who were “handling and changing” money who were seated within the “temple”.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how people were conducting business within the “temple” in Jerusalem. Not only did they have animals – oxen, sheep and doves – within the temple, but there were also tables where people were “changing money” within the temple as well. Their reason for being there was to provide “proven” sacrifices for people who brought an animal to pay for their sins, and they also “exchanged” foreign monies into the “temple” approved money for a fee of course. This caught Jesus' attention, and He will address this abuse of God's sacred place for worship as He cleanses the “temple” from these things. Jesus also seeks to “cleanse” the heart and soul of every person who yields their life to Him, and this should cause all who read these words to desire to be made “clean” from every error within.

Next time John shares how Jesus, “made a scourge of small cords … and drove them all out of the temple”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".