Luk 19:45-48 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 19:45-48: 19:45-48 Having just entered Jerusalem as the Messiah, Jesus performed a messianic action (cp. Mal 3:1 ) by driving money changers and merchants selling animals for sacrifices out of the Temple. This cleansing was to restore true worship to the Temple. It was also symbolic of the judgment that Jesus had just pronounced against Israel (19:41-44 ). 19:45 Pilgrims coming to worship at the Temple would purchase animals for sacrifices in the Temple courts. Jesus also drove out the money changers who provided the correct currency for the Temple tax (Matt 21:12 ; Mark 11:15 ; see Exod 30:13-16 ; Neh 10:32-33 ). While these were necessary services, Jesus objected to the exploitation of the Temple for illicit commercial gain that distracted from its purpose as a place of worship. The Temple was meant to reflect God’s glory for all nations, but it had become corrupt.

a19:45-48►

bMal 3:1►

c19:41-44►

d19:45►

eMatt 21:12►

fMark 11:15►

gExod 30:13-16►

hNeh 10:32-33►

i19:47►

‏ Luke 19:45-48

Summary for Luke 19:45-48: 19:45-48 ^a Having just entered Jerusalem as the Messiah, Jesus performed a messianic action (cp. Mal 3:1 ^b) by driving money changers and merchants selling animals for sacrifices out of the Temple. This cleansing was to restore true worship to the Temple. It was also symbolic of the judgment that Jesus had just pronounced against Israel (19:41-44 ^c). 19:45 ^d Pilgrims coming to worship at the Temple would purchase animals for sacrifices in the Temple courts. Jesus also drove out the money changers who provided the correct currency for the Temple tax (Matt 21:12 ^e; Mark 11:15 ^f; see Exod 30:13-16 ^g; Neh 10:32-33 ^h). While these were necessary services, Jesus objected to the exploitation of the Temple for illicit commercial gain that distracted from its purpose as a place of worship. The Temple was meant to reflect God’s glory for all nations, but it had become corrupt.
19:47 ⁱ The clearing of the Temple catalyzed the opposition and precipitated Jesus’ crucifixion (but see study note on Mark 11:12-25).

• Jesus’ opposition in Galilee came mainly from the Pharisees and teachers of religious law; in Jerusalem, the opposition also included the leading priests, who controlled the Temple. Jesus’ actions against the Temple trade threatened their authority.