Luke 19:45-48 The Temple Traders

Luke 19:45-48 The Temple Traders

Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.'" And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.

As I noted earlier, Jesus upon entering Jerusalem had thrown down the gauntlet. By letting himself be called both “king” and “blessed who comes in the name of the Lord” he has challenged both the political and religious leaders. Now he goes after the merchants and traders who set up shop in the temple precincts adding (financial) injury to insult. The chief priests are unhappy to say the least and vow to destroy him. What is Jesus problem with the combination of worship and commerce? The temple is supposed to be a house of prayer. The priests are supposed to be looking after the spiritual well-being of God’s people and lead them in the worship of God. There is no need for merchants in the temple. Anything any one may want or need is available in the city in numerous locations. There is no reason to waylay the faithful their way to worship. It is at best a distraction and at worst an abuse of power since I assume that the priests benefit from allowing the merchants to sell in such a prime location. Jesus objects. This is not what a temple is for. Jesus is going to preach his message of repentance until his last breath. The Chief Priests and Scribes hear his message but instead of feeling the need to change, they plot his demise. The stage is set for betrayal.