What is the story of clearing the temple?

Answer 1

Origen doubted the occurrence of this event, believing it to be a mere allegory. ==new answer== The story was that Jesus saw money changers using the temple and he used the emotion of anger to get his point accross that it was a misuse of the place.

'And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.' No currency but the Jewish was accepted in the temple while doves, lambs, and other animals were required for offerings. These persons performed the very necessary office of supplying the Jews with offerings and exchanging Jewish coins for the Roman money then in general circulation. What right he had to interfere with the lawful business of these men, and especially in the manner in which he did it, is difficult to understand. Itchie This event is recorded in all four Gospels, (Matthew 21 v 12 - 13, Mark 11 v 15 - 17, Luke 19 v 45 - 46 and John 2 v 13 - 17 cited above).

As explained above, it was necessary for money to be exchanged and for animals to be bought as this was part of the Jewish religious rites of the time.

If we read the passage which contains what Jesus said at this time we can see clearly his motivation for his actions. He basically did not regard it as appropriate that these necessary things should intrude into the temple area where they would impede the reverence and prayers of those wanting to worship. They were necessary but they were in the wrong location. Evidently the Jewish authorities sanctioned this.

Jesus' authority for so doing can only be understood in the light of His position as the Son of God. It was, as he said '..my Father's house..' We see Jesus' oneness in spirit with His Father and thus His desire to do His Father's will. As the temple was the place to worship God and pray, not to have common transactions as in a marketplace Jesus felt the same 'righteous indignation' His Father felt.