Lexical Summary kerma: Coin, small coin, money Original Word: κέρμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance money. From keiro; a clipping (bit), i.e. (specially) a coin -- money. see GREEK keiro NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom keiró Definition a slice, hence a small coin NASB Translation coins (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2772: κέρμακέρμα, κερματος, τό (κείρω to cut into bits), small pieces of money, small coin, change; generally and collectively, τό κέρμα money: John 2:15, where L marginal reading Tr WH τά κερματα; (Aristophanes, Demosthenes, Josephus, others). Cf. the full exhibition of the use of the word given by Fischer, De vitiis lexicorum N. T. etc., p. 264ff Topical Lexicon Topical Overview Strong’s number 2772 points to the single Greek term rendered “coins” in John 2:15. Although the word appears only once, its setting in the cleansing of the temple provides an important window into first-century worship, economics, and Christology. Historical Context of Coinage in the Second Temple Era By the time of Jesus, coined money had replaced barter in nearly every commercial exchange within the Roman Empire. Jerusalem hosted pilgrims from across the Mediterranean world who carried a variety of currencies—imperial denarii, provincial drachmas, and local copper pieces. Because the half-shekel temple tax (Exodus 30:13) had to be paid in Tyrian silver, money changers stationed in the Court of the Gentiles converted foreign monies into acceptable coinage and took a surcharge for their service. Archaeological finds confirm an abundance of small bronze and copper coins in Judea, illustrating the ubiquity of such transactions. The Temple Economy and Money Changers What began as a practical accommodation had grown into a commercial network embedded in the temple precincts. Livestock for sacrifice, incense, oil, and wine were sold on-site, and the fees collected by money changers lined the pockets of both merchants and priestly authorities. The house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7) had been recast as a marketplace, distorting worship by mingling devotion with profiteering. Jesus and the Scattered Coins (John 2:15) “ He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables ” (John 2:15). By driving out merchants, Jesus exposed corrupt stewardship and asserted messianic authority over the temple. His actions fulfilled anticipatory prophecies—“Suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple… He will purify the sons of Levi” (Malachi 3:1-3)—and prepared hearts for the greater cleansing accomplished at the cross. The sight of coins rolling across the pavement symbolized the collapse of a worship system beholden to material gain. Old Testament Foundations for Purity in Worship 1. Exodus 30:13-16 – The half-shekel ransom emphasized redemption, not revenue. Symbolic and Prophetic Dimensions • Messianic Kingship: By cleansing the temple at the start of His ministry, Jesus claimed royal prerogative over Israel’s central institution. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Integrity in Stewardship: Churches and ministries must guard against allowing financial mechanisms to overshadow worship (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). Related Scripture Passages Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46 – parallel accounts of temple cleansing 1 Timothy 6:10 – warning about the love of money Acts 8:18-20 – rebuke of Simon’s attempt to buy divine power James 5:1-6 – condemnation of hoarded wealth Conclusion Though κέρμα appears only once, the episode in which it occurs challenges every generation of believers to examine motives, preserve the sanctity of worship, and yield all material resources to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations κέρμα κερματα κέρματα kerma kérmaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |