The Market in The Temple

Mark 11:15-19

But even the temple ( God‘s Great House) was not ready for God. God had come to his temple. (See Malachi 3:1-3).

Inside its gates, people were doing business. There was a market in its yard. Some people were selling the special coins that people used in the temple. Other people were selling birds and animals. People bought birds and animals there to give them to God.

The temple had a proper purpose. That purpose was certainly not business. The temple was a place for people to pray. People from other countries would see how the Jews prayed. And then those other people would learn about God. And they would pray too (2 Chronicles 6:32-33). God wanted people in every country to know about him.

But this temple disappointed God. Jesus stopped the market. He told the people that they must take their animals away. He would not let them continue their business.

Jesus did all these things in a very strong way. But nobody stopped him. The important priests were afraid because the crowds wanted to listen to Jesus.

And Jesus taught the Bible to the crowds. He told them about Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.