On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, (Mark 11:15)
Jesus saw the merchants at the temple in the Jerusalem. They were buyer, seller, money changers and those selling doves. According the Bible scholars, the temple market was very big. At the important festival it opened at the gentiles’ courtyard, the size of 475 m width and 300 m length. In addition to this, other courtyards and other building were included.
Such temple market was for the convenience of pilgrims who came from a remote place. They had to change a certain sort of coin settled by the temple in order to pay a temple tax. The pilgrims from Egypt couldn’t but change his money at the market of Jerusalem temple. The animals for offering to the Lord also should be flawlessness. In order to prepare the temple standard animal it was safe to buy it from the market in the temple. The temple market naturally began according to practical needy.
What exactly the officer of Jerusalem temple had derived improper benefit from the market is unknown. Though we cannot say about improper benefit, there might be possibility of improper trading. In those days the exchange commission of money was between 2.1% to 4.2%. There might be high possibility to pay certain prices to the temple officers from money changers and merchants in order to get secured status.
Then is it reasonable thing to abolish the temple market? It is not realistic way. If it is abolished then Jerusalem temple may be fallen into a great disorder. The temple priests also might be in such agony. They might be kept such status thinking that it was a necessary evil.
Jesus saw the merchants at the temple in the Jerusalem. They were buyer, seller, money changers and those selling doves. According the Bible scholars, the temple market was very big. At the important festival it opened at the gentiles’ courtyard, the size of 475 m width and 300 m length. In addition to this, other courtyards and other building were included.
Such temple market was for the convenience of pilgrims who came from a remote place. They had to change a certain sort of coin settled by the temple in order to pay a temple tax. The pilgrims from Egypt couldn’t but change his money at the market of Jerusalem temple. The animals for offering to the Lord also should be flawlessness. In order to prepare the temple standard animal it was safe to buy it from the market in the temple. The temple market naturally began according to practical needy.
What exactly the officer of Jerusalem temple had derived improper benefit from the market is unknown. Though we cannot say about improper benefit, there might be possibility of improper trading. In those days the exchange commission of money was between 2.1% to 4.2%. There might be high possibility to pay certain prices to the temple officers from money changers and merchants in order to get secured status.
Then is it reasonable thing to abolish the temple market? It is not realistic way. If it is abolished then Jerusalem temple may be fallen into a great disorder. The temple priests also might be in such agony. They might be kept such status thinking that it was a necessary evil.
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