The Businessman of Jerusalem - Jesus Cleanses the Temple

When some customers are impressed at his good prices, a merchant tells how Jesus once came and drove out all business from the temple. This example convinced the merchant to work differently.

Matthew’s use of three Old Testament passages in this story emphasizes how Jesus fulfilled Messianic prophecy. Jesus is the Messiah, God’s chosen one to save all people. This is shown many times in scripture.

Read Mark 11:15–19 for another version of the story. John’s version of Jesus cleansing the temple (John 2:12–25) may be a different event. Notice John puts this story in the beginning of his gospel instead of at the end like Matthew and Mark.

Like all people, Jesus experienced many emotions, including anger. However, Jesus never sinned when he was angry.

Questions to Consider:

1. How do you think the business people felt when Jesus turned their tables over and called their business area a den of robbers?
2. Do you think the religious leaders at the temple approved of the selling of animals in the temple courts?
3. For those traveling from far away, purchasing animals for sacrifice at the temple was an important ritual. How do you think they felt about Jesus' criticism of the money changers and thieves?
4. What do you think made Jesus so angry in the temple?