Jesus chases traders out of the temple
12 Jesus then went into the yard of the temple. People were buying and selling things there. Jesus made them all leave that place. He pushed over the tables of the men who changed coins. He also pushed over the seats of the men who sold birds.
21:12The temple had a wall around it. Only the priests went into the temple building. Other people could meet in the yard around the temple building.
21:12The people had to use different money in the temple to buy birds and animals to offer as gifts to God.
13 Jesus spoke to them all. He said, ‘The Bible says, “God's house will be a place where people come together to pray.” But you have changed it into a place where robbers meet.’
14 Blind people went to meet Jesus in the yard of the temple. People who could not walk very well also went there. Jesus caused them all to become well. 15 The leaders of the priests and teachers of God's Law saw all the powerful things that Jesus did. They also saw children in the yard of the temple who were shouting, ‘Welcome! We pray that God will bless you, Son of David!’ All these things caused the important Jews to become very angry.
16 They asked Jesus, ‘Can you hear what these children are saying?’
Jesus replied, ‘Yes, I can hear them. I am sure that you have read this in the Bible:
“ Lord God, babies and children praise you.
You yourself have taught them to do that.” ’
17 Then Jesus left everyone and he went out of the city. He stayed that night in Bethany.
21:17Bethany was a village near Bethphage, very near to Jerusalem.
