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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 2:14 In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/2-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/43_Jhn_02_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 2:14 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. <a href="/esv/john/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. <a href="/bsb/john/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. <a href="/blb/john/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting. <a href="/kjv/john/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: <a href="/nkjv/john/2.htm">New King James Version</a> And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. <a href="/nasb_/john/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. <a href="/nasb/john/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. <a href="/nasb77/john/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers seated. <a href="/lsb/john/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. <a href="/amp/john/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And in the temple [enclosure] He found the people who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at their tables. <a href="/csb/john/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> In the temple he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there. <a href="/hcsb/john/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In the temple complex He found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and He also found the money changers sitting there. <a href="/asv/john/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: <a href="/cev/john/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> There he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves in the temple. He also saw moneychangers sitting at their tables. <a href="/erv/john/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: <a href="/gwt/john/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He found those who were selling cattle, sheep, and pigeons in the temple courtyard. He also found moneychangers sitting there. <a href="/gnt/john/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> There in the Temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and pigeons, and also the moneychangers sitting at their tables. <a href="/isv/john/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> In the Temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as moneychangers sitting at their tables. <a href="/msb/john/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. <a href="/net/john/2.htm">NET Bible</a> He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables. <a href="/nheb/john/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And he found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers sitting. <a href="/wbt/john/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And found in the temple those that sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money, sitting: <a href="/wey/john/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And He found in the Temple the dealers in cattle and sheep and in pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. <a href="/web/john/2.htm">World English Bible</a> He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and He found in the temple those selling oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the money-changers sitting, <a href="/blb/john/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And He found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting. <a href="/ylt/john/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he found in the temple those selling oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the money-changers sitting, <a href="/slt/john/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and money-changers sitting;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he found in the temple them that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting. <a href="/cpdv/john/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he found, sitting in the temple, sellers of oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers. <a href="/nabre/john/2.htm">New American Bible</a> He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there. <a href="/nrsvce/john/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he found in the temple those who were buying oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he found in The Temple those that were selling lambs, sheep and doves, and there were money exchangers sitting.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And he found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting. <a href="/godbey/john/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And He found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting: <a href="/haweis/john/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And he found in the temple those who sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the moneychangers seated: <a href="/mace/john/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> where he found in the temple those that sold oxen, sheep, and doves, besides the changers of money, who were sitting there. <a href="/wey/john/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And He found in the Temple the dealers in cattle and sheep and in pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. <a href="/worrell/john/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And He found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting. <a href="/worsley/john/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and sheep, and doves, and the money changers sitting: <a href="/parallel/john/2-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=507" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/2.htm">Jesus Cleanses the Temple</a> …13When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">In</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2411.htm" title="2411: hierō (N-DNS) -- Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.">temple courts</a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heuren (V-AIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">He found</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">men</a> <a href="/greek/4453.htm" title="4453: pōlountas (V-PPA-AMP) -- To sell, exchange, barter. Probably ultimately from pelomai; to barter, i.e. To sell.">selling</a> <a href="/greek/1016.htm" title="1016: boas (N-AMP) -- An ox, cow, bull. Probably from the base of bosko; an ox, i.e. An animal of that species.">cattle,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/4263.htm" title="4263: probata (N-ANP) -- A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.">sheep,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4058.htm" title="4058: peristeras (N-AFP) -- A dove, pigeon. Of uncertain derivation; a pigeon.">doves,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2773.htm" title="2773: kermatistas (N-AMP) -- From a derivative of kerma; a handler of coins, i.e. Money-broker.">money changers</a> <a href="/greek/2521.htm" title="2521: kathēmenous (V-PPM/P-AMP) -- To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.">seated at their tables.</a> 15So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">Matthew 21:12-13</a> Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” <a href="/mark/11-15.htm">Mark 11:15-17</a> When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. / Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” <a href="/luke/19-45.htm">Luke 19:45-46</a> Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there. / He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” <a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1-3</a> “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. / But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. / And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. <a href="/psalms/69-9.htm">Psalm 69:9</a> because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. <a href="/isaiah/56-7.htm">Isaiah 56:7</a> I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” <a href="/jeremiah/7-11.htm">Jeremiah 7:11</a> Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD. <a href="/zechariah/14-21.htm">Zechariah 14:21</a> Indeed, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD of Hosts, and all who sacrifice will come and take some pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14-16</a> The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. / John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” / From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. <a href="/john/4-21.htm">John 4:21-24</a> “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ... <a href="/john/5-43.htm">John 5:43</a> I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. <a href="/john/7-14.htm">John 7:14-16</a> About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. / The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?” / “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. <a href="/john/8-20.htm">John 8:20</a> He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come. <a href="/john/10-23.htm">John 10:23</a> and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade. <a href="/john/18-20.htm">John 18:20</a> “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:<a href="/deuteronomy/14-23.htm">Deuteronomy 14:23-26</a> And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always… <a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">Matthew 21:12</a> And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,<a href="/mark/11-15.htm">Mark 11:15</a> And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/2-4.htm">Business</a> <a href="/luke/17-7.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/mark/11-15.htm">Changers</a> <a href="/luke/22-53.htm">Courts</a> <a href="/luke/19-45.htm">Dealers</a> <a href="/luke/2-25.htm">Doves</a> <a href="/luke/24-17.htm">Exchanging</a> <a href="/john/1-45.htm">Found</a> <a href="/luke/22-36.htm">Money</a> <a href="/mark/11-15.htm">Money-Changers</a> <a href="/luke/24-33.htm">Others</a> <a href="/luke/14-19.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/luke/2-24.htm">Pigeons</a> <a href="/luke/24-30.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/luke/22-12.htm">Seats</a> <a href="/mark/11-15.htm">Sellers</a> <a href="/luke/19-45.htm">Selling</a> <a href="/luke/17-7.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/luke/22-69.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/luke/19-45.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/mark/11-15.htm">Tables</a> <a href="/luke/24-53.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/luke/19-45.htm">Trading</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/2-16.htm">Business</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Changers</a> <a href="/john/7-14.htm">Courts</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-15.htm">Dealers</a> <a href="/john/2-16.htm">Doves</a> <a href="/acts/2-45.htm">Exchanging</a> <a href="/john/5-14.htm">Found</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Money</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Money-Changers</a> <a href="/john/3-31.htm">Others</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/john/2-16.htm">Pigeons</a> <a href="/john/6-3.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/acts/25-23.htm">Seats</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-20.htm">Sellers</a> <a href="/john/2-16.htm">Selling</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/john/4-6.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/john/2-16.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Tables</a> <a href="/john/2-15.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/john/2-16.htm">Trading</a><div class="vheading2">John 2</div>1. <a href="/john/2-1.htm">Jesus turns water into wine;</a> 12. <a href="/john/2-12.htm">departs into Capernaum,</a> 13. <a href="/john/2-13.htm">and to Jerusalem,</a> 14. <a href="/john/2-14.htm">where he purges the temple of buyers and sellers.</a> 18. <a href="/john/2-18.htm">He foretells his death and resurrection.</a> 23. <a href="/john/2-23.htm">Many believe because of his miracles, but he will not trust himself with them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>In the temple courts The temple courts refer to the outer areas of the Temple in Jerusalem, specifically the Court of the Gentiles. This was the only area where non-Jews could come to worship the God of Israel. The Temple was central to Jewish religious life, serving as the place where sacrifices were offered and festivals were celebrated. The presence of commerce in this sacred space was seen as a desecration of its intended purpose.He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves These animals were necessary for the sacrificial system prescribed in the Mosaic Law. Cattle, sheep, and doves were commonly used in various offerings, including sin and peace offerings. The selling of these animals in the temple courts was convenient for pilgrims traveling from afar who needed to purchase animals for sacrifice. However, this practice had become commercialized and exploitative, detracting from the spiritual significance of the sacrifices.and money changers seated at their tables Money changers were present to exchange foreign currency for the Tyrian shekel, the only currency accepted for the temple tax. This tax was required of every Jewish male for the upkeep of the temple. The money changers often charged exorbitant fees, turning a necessary service into a means of exploitation. This practice was particularly offensive in the sacred space of the temple, as it prioritized profit over piety. The presence of these money changers and merchants in the temple courts was a significant factor in Jesus' actions to cleanse the temple, as it reflected a corruption of worship and a barrier to genuine devotion.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure in the passage, who observes the activities in the temple courts. 2. <a href="/topical/t/temple_courts.htm">Temple Courts</a> The outer area of the temple in Jerusalem where commerce was taking place. 3. <a href="/topical/m/men_selling_cattle,_sheep,_and_doves.htm">Men Selling Cattle, Sheep, and Doves</a> Merchants providing animals for sacrifices, which were necessary for temple rituals. 4. <a href="/topical/m/money_changers.htm">Money Changers</a> Individuals exchanging foreign currency for the temple currency, often at a profit. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where the temple was located, a central place of worship for the Jewish people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/z/zeal_for_god's_house.htm">Zeal for God's House</a> Jesus' actions demonstrate a righteous zeal for the sanctity of worship. Believers are called to maintain reverence in their places of worship. <a href="/topical/p/purity_in_worship.htm">Purity in Worship</a> The temple was meant to be a place of prayer, not commerce. Christians should examine their own worship practices to ensure they are focused on God, not personal gain or convenience. <a href="/topical/r/righteous_anger.htm">Righteous Anger</a> Jesus' response shows that anger can be righteous when it is directed against sin and injustice. Believers should channel their anger towards constructive change and justice. <a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_transactions.htm">Integrity in Transactions</a> The presence of money changers highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in financial dealings, especially within the church. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_cleansing.htm">Spiritual Cleansing</a> Just as Jesus cleansed the temple, believers are called to cleanse their hearts and lives from sin, making them a suitable dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 2</a> <a href="/q/is_selling_in_church_inappropriate.htm">Is selling in church inappropriate?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_anger.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on anger?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'do_not_sin_in_anger'_mean.htm">What does "In your anger do not sin" mean?</a> <a href="/q/is_herod's_temple_the_third_temple.htm">Is Herod's temple considered the third temple?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - He found in the temple (ἱερόν); the vast enclosure, surrounded by colonnades, where the courts of the Gentiles were situated beyond and outside the courts of "the women" and "the priests." Within the latter was the sanctuary (ναός), or sacred adytum, where the altars of sacrifice and incense faced the veil of the holiest of all. In the court of the temple had been allowed a secular market for sacrificial beasts. An exchange for money was also set up,where Jews were ready to furnish, on usurious terms, the proper coin, the sacred half shekel (value, one shilling and threepence), in which form alone was the temple tax received from the provincial visitors or pilgrims from distant lands. No coin bearing the image of Caesar, or any foreign prince, or any idolatrous symbol then so common, would be allowed in the sacred treasury. So the Lord found those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the exchangers of money sitting; a busy bazaar, deteriorating the idea of the temple with adverse associations. The three sacrificial animals mentioned were those most frequently required. The strangers, doubtless, needed some market where these could be obtained, and where the sufficient guarantee of their freedom from blemish could be secured. It was also indispensable that exchange of coins should have been made feasible for the host of strangers. The profanation effected by transacting these measures in the temple courts was symptomatic of widespread secularism, an outward indication of the corruption of the entire idea of worship, and of the selfishness and pride which had vitiated the solemnity and spirituality of the sacrificial ritual. Geikie has given a very brilliant description of this scene; so also Edersheim, 'Life of Jesus the Messiah.' The money (κέρμα) was probably derived from a word (κείρω) meaning "to cut," and referred to the minute coins which were required for convenient exchange. The κόλλυβος, which gives its name to κολλυβιστής of the following verse, is also the name of a small (κολοβός, equivalent to "mutilated") coin used for purposes of exchange. The smaller the coin the better, as the minute differences of weight of the foreign coins would thus be more easily measured. <a href="/commentaries/john/2-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>In ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. temple courts ἱερῷ (hierō) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2411.htm">Strong's 2411: </a> Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple. He found εὗρεν (heuren) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. [men] τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. selling πωλοῦντας (pōlountas) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4453.htm">Strong's 4453: </a> To sell, exchange, barter. Probably ultimately from pelomai; to barter, i.e. To sell. cattle, βόας (boas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1016.htm">Strong's 1016: </a> An ox, cow, bull. Probably from the base of bosko; an ox, i.e. An animal of that species. sheep, πρόβατα (probata) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4263.htm">Strong's 4263: </a> A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. doves, περιστερὰς (peristeras) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4058.htm">Strong's 4058: </a> A dove, pigeon. Of uncertain derivation; a pigeon. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. money changers κερματιστὰς (kermatistas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2773.htm">Strong's 2773: </a> From a derivative of kerma; a handler of coins, i.e. Money-broker. seated [at their tables]. καθημένους (kathēmenous) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2521.htm">Strong's 2521: </a> To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/2-14.htm">John 2:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/2-14.htm">NT Gospels: John 2:14 He found in the temple those who (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/2-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 2:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 2:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/2-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 2:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 2:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>