Member-only story
Trouble at the Temple
When Jesus disrupted the moneychangers at the temple
Some story background
Under the Mosaic Law even when Jesus walked the earth, Jewish men were expected to attend three feasts celebrated at the temple in Jerusalem — the Feasts of Passover (and Unleavened Bread), Pentecost (or Weeks), and Tabernacles (or Booths).
These were important as memorials of God’s faithfulness to His people at pivotal points in their history. These events also held greater meaning and significance for the future of those who trust in the Living God of Israel.
Every Jewish family was required to make certain offerings and sacrifices at each of these feasts. Those who attended came from many different lands with different currencies and it was difficult to bring their own animals.
At each of these feasts, stalls were set up to sell animals suitable for required offerings and sacrifices. The vendors and their patrons made a profit on these sales. The Law forbade the charging of interest for God’s people but this was ignored as a way of creating revenue for the Temple.
The story
As the Feast of Passover was beginning, Jesus entered the moneychangers’ area of the Temple and stirred things up. He fashioned a whip out of some cords…
