As a person entered Herod's Temple precincts, they could proceed upward and inward toward the interior and top. As people would pass through a subsequent level of precincts they would walk through the various courts. Each level would also signify a higher level of 'sanctity'. Thus, the lowest and outermost level was open to everyone who wished and was therefore known as the "Court of the Gentile's".
Following the Chronology of Jesus' life as told by Luke, we see mention of Jesus visiting Herod's Temple a few times. The first time, we see Him displaying the uncharacteristic wisdom of a 12-year old in Luke 2:42,47-48.
Cleansing of the Temple
Luke 19:45-48
Eighteen years later, Luke recounts another visit by Jesus to Herod's Temple. This is towards the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and he's a fully grown 30 year old man.
Now, it's easy to assume that Jesus is utterly disgusted with the whole 'Bazzar' atmosphere, but this is confusing when we consider that this had been the custom during Jesus' entire life.
We may assume that Jesus hadn't become angry prior to this instance as an example of God's instruction for us to be slow to anger.
Or, maybe we assume that Jesus was just not able to show His wrath because He hadn't been physically capable of doing so as a 12 year old boy?
This however would be be a wrong assumption even if we are to discount the fact that He has always been the Almighty God. Consider that His wisdom was shown to be well beyond His years in Luke 2:42,47-48, we can't assume that His physical abilities were not also well beyond His years as well.
So, what could it have been that set off Jesus' anger at this particular moment?
At some point, it had become a rule that the only money accepted in Temple ceremonies was Jewish and Tyrian money. A rule that prohibited the use of foreign currency in the Temple would mean that the Greek and Roman gentiles could no longer purchase items from the vendors. Obviously this was not only inconvenient for the gentiles, but the vendors who had always earned their living by selling their goods would also lose out many potential customers.
In order to resolve this issue, enterprising individuals became money-changers who would accommodate the needs of the vendors by enabling their customers to spend. Of course, like the shop keepers, the money changers also needed to make a living. This could be first recorded account of Bank Fees!
I think we can all relate when Jesus proclaimed them (banks) to be like thieves, lit.~ robbers Luke 19:46.
This account is also reiterated in Mark 11:15-19, Matthew 21:12-17; and John 2:13-25
Following the Chronology of Jesus' life as told by Luke, we see mention of Jesus visiting Herod's Temple a few times. The first time, we see Him displaying the uncharacteristic wisdom of a 12-year old in Luke 2:42,47-48.
Cleansing of the Temple
Luke 19:45-48
Eighteen years later, Luke recounts another visit by Jesus to Herod's Temple. This is towards the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and he's a fully grown 30 year old man.
Now, it's easy to assume that Jesus is utterly disgusted with the whole 'Bazzar' atmosphere, but this is confusing when we consider that this had been the custom during Jesus' entire life.
We may assume that Jesus hadn't become angry prior to this instance as an example of God's instruction for us to be slow to anger.
Or, maybe we assume that Jesus was just not able to show His wrath because He hadn't been physically capable of doing so as a 12 year old boy?
This however would be be a wrong assumption even if we are to discount the fact that He has always been the Almighty God. Consider that His wisdom was shown to be well beyond His years in Luke 2:42,47-48, we can't assume that His physical abilities were not also well beyond His years as well.
So, what could it have been that set off Jesus' anger at this particular moment?
At some point, it had become a rule that the only money accepted in Temple ceremonies was Jewish and Tyrian money. A rule that prohibited the use of foreign currency in the Temple would mean that the Greek and Roman gentiles could no longer purchase items from the vendors. Obviously this was not only inconvenient for the gentiles, but the vendors who had always earned their living by selling their goods would also lose out many potential customers.
In order to resolve this issue, enterprising individuals became money-changers who would accommodate the needs of the vendors by enabling their customers to spend. Of course, like the shop keepers, the money changers also needed to make a living. This could be first recorded account of Bank Fees!
I think we can all relate when Jesus proclaimed them (banks) to be like thieves, lit.~ robbers Luke 19:46.
This account is also reiterated in Mark 11:15-19, Matthew 21:12-17; and John 2:13-25
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Then Jesus is in good company. I hate ATM fees too.
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