At Jerusalem temple (2)

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.

At Jerusalem temple (1)

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)

Jerusalem temple clearing incident was the most important cause that determined Jesus’ destiny. So, all four gospels are dealing with this incident. John’s gospel sets it up at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry while other synoptic gospel the last week. It was important for Jesus was directly confronted by the leaders of Jerusalem temple at this incident.

Jew’s system centered round Jerusalem was like a stronghold. Firstly the history and tradition of Jerusalem was great. If we trace back the history of Jerusalem temple to its origin there are David and Solomon. David prepared material foundation to build the temple and Solomon practically built it. If we trace a little more back we can meet Moses. In the law he received all the detailed enforcement regulations about temple and worship activities.

Jerusalem temple not merely exercised the religious vested rights but collected a fixed temple tax from the pilgrims. They could collect much money and goods at the important festival. Imagine how much the amount would be. The government of Roman Empire, the ruler of Israel didn’t interrupt such activities of the leaders of Jerusalem temple. Think of the offering of those mega churches in Korea. Of course other religions also have the same phenomena.

In common parlance, Jesus a rustic from Nazareth fought against the power of Jerusalem temple, the origin of Israel religion. The result of this fighting was forgone conclusion. The temple clearing incident was a catalyzer to make his destiny of crucifixion earlier.