John 2:14
New International Version
In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.

New Living Translation
In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money.

English Standard Version
In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there.

Berean Standard Bible
In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables.

Berean Literal Bible
And He found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting.

King James Bible
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

New King James Version
And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.

New American Standard Bible
And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.

NASB 1995
And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.

NASB 1977
And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers seated.

Legacy Standard Bible
And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.

Amplified Bible
And in the temple [enclosure] He found the people who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at their tables.

Christian Standard Bible
In the temple he found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and he also found the money changers sitting there.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the temple complex He found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and He also found the money changers sitting there.

American Standard Version
And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

Contemporary English Version
There he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves in the temple. He also saw moneychangers sitting at their tables.

English Revised Version
And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He found those who were selling cattle, sheep, and pigeons in the temple courtyard. He also found moneychangers sitting there.

Good News Translation
There in the Temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and pigeons, and also the moneychangers sitting at their tables.

International Standard Version
In the Temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as moneychangers sitting at their tables.

Majority Standard Bible
In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables.

NET Bible
He found in the temple courts those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting at tables.

New Heart English Bible
And he found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money changers sitting.

Webster's Bible Translation
And found in the temple those that sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money, sitting:

Weymouth New Testament
And He found in the Temple the dealers in cattle and sheep and in pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there.

World English Bible
He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He found in the temple those selling oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the money-changers sitting,

Berean Literal Bible
And He found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting.

Young's Literal Translation
and he found in the temple those selling oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the money-changers sitting,

Smith's Literal Translation
And found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and money-changers sitting;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he found in the temple them that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he found, sitting in the temple, sellers of oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers.

New American Bible
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.

New Revised Standard Version
In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he found in the temple those who were buying oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he found in The Temple those that were selling lambs, sheep and doves, and there were money exchangers sitting.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting.

Godbey New Testament
And He found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting:

Haweis New Testament
And he found in the temple those who sold oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the moneychangers seated:

Mace New Testament
where he found in the temple those that sold oxen, sheep, and doves, besides the changers of money, who were sitting there.

Weymouth New Testament
And He found in the Temple the dealers in cattle and sheep and in pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there.

Worrell New Testament
And He found in the temple those selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting.

Worsley New Testament
and sheep, and doves, and the money changers sitting:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
13When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. 15So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.…

Cross References
Matthew 21:12-13
Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Mark 11:15-17
When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. / And He would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. / Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Luke 19:45-46
Then Jesus entered the temple courts and began to drive out those who were selling there. / He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be a house of prayer.’ But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Malachi 3:1-3
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. / But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. / And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

Psalm 69:9
because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Jeremiah 7:11
Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD.

Zechariah 14:21
Indeed, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD of Hosts, and all who sacrifice will come and take some pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Hosts.

John 1:14-16
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. / John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” / From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

John 4:21-24
“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ...

John 5:43
I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him.

John 7:14-16
About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. / The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?” / “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me.

John 8:20
He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.

John 10:23
and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade.

John 18:20
“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.


Treasury of Scripture

And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

Deuteronomy 14:23-26
And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always…

Matthew 21:12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Mark 11:15
And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Jump to Previous
Business Cattle Changers Courts Dealers Doves Exchanging Found Money Money-Changers Others Oxen Pigeons Seated Seats Sellers Selling Sheep Sitting Sold Tables Temple Trading
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Business Cattle Changers Courts Dealers Doves Exchanging Found Money Money-Changers Others Oxen Pigeons Seated Seats Sellers Selling Sheep Sitting Sold Tables Temple Trading
John 2
1. Jesus turns water into wine;
12. departs into Capernaum,
13. and to Jerusalem,
14. where he purges the temple of buyers and sellers.
18. He foretells his death and resurrection.
23. Many believe because of his miracles, but he will not trust himself with them.














In the temple courts
The phrase "in the temple courts" refers to the outer courts of the Jerusalem Temple, specifically the Court of the Gentiles. This area was meant to be a place of prayer and worship for all nations, as indicated in Isaiah 56:7. The Greek word for "temple" here is "hieron," which denotes the entire temple complex, including its outer courts. Historically, the temple was the center of Jewish religious life, and its courts were intended to be a sacred space. The presence of commercial activity in this holy area was a significant deviation from its intended purpose, highlighting the corruption and commercialization of religious practices at the time.

He found men selling
The act of "selling" within the temple courts indicates a shift from spiritual devotion to commercial enterprise. The Greek word "pōlountas" suggests a marketplace atmosphere, which would have been disruptive to the sanctity of the temple. This commercialization reflects a broader issue of religious leaders prioritizing profit over piety, a theme that Jesus frequently addressed in His ministry. The presence of sellers in the temple courts symbolizes the intrusion of worldly concerns into spiritual spaces, a cautionary tale for maintaining the purity of worship.

cattle, sheep, and doves
These animals were commonly used for sacrifices according to Jewish law, as outlined in Leviticus. Cattle, sheep, and doves were essential for various offerings, including sin and peace offerings. The Greek terms "boas" (cattle), "probata" (sheep), and "peristeras" (doves) emphasize the diversity of sacrificial requirements. However, their sale within the temple courts suggests a convenience that undermines the sacrificial system's intent, which was to bring individuals closer to God through genuine repentance and devotion. The commercialization of these sacrificial animals indicates a loss of reverence for the sacred rituals they represent.

and money changers seated at their tables
The "money changers" were individuals who exchanged foreign currency for the temple currency, which was required for paying the temple tax. The Greek word "kermatistas" refers to these exchangers, who often charged exorbitant fees, exploiting pilgrims who came to worship. Their presence "seated at their tables" suggests a sense of permanence and authority, further entrenching the commercialization of the temple. This practice not only exploited the faithful but also desecrated the temple's sanctity, turning a place of worship into a center of financial transaction. Jesus' later actions in driving out these money changers underscore His commitment to restoring the temple's holiness and His condemnation of those who profited from religious practices.

Verse 14. - He found in the temple (ἱερόν); the vast enclosure, surrounded by colonnades, where the courts of the Gentiles were situated beyond and outside the courts of "the women" and "the priests." Within the latter was the sanctuary (ναός), or sacred adytum, where the altars of sacrifice and incense faced the veil of the holiest of all. In the court of the temple had been allowed a secular market for sacrificial beasts. An exchange for money was also set up,where Jews were ready to furnish, on usurious terms, the proper coin, the sacred half shekel (value, one shilling and threepence), in which form alone was the temple tax received from the provincial visitors or pilgrims from distant lands. No coin bearing the image of Caesar, or any foreign prince, or any idolatrous symbol then so common, would be allowed in the sacred treasury. So the Lord found those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the exchangers of money sitting; a busy bazaar, deteriorating the idea of the temple with adverse associations. The three sacrificial animals mentioned were those most frequently required. The strangers, doubtless, needed some market where these could be obtained, and where the sufficient guarantee of their freedom from blemish could be secured. It was also indispensable that exchange of coins should have been made feasible for the host of strangers. The profanation effected by transacting these measures in the temple courts was symptomatic of widespread secularism, an outward indication of the corruption of the entire idea of worship, and of the selfishness and pride which had vitiated the solemnity and spirituality of the sacrificial ritual. Geikie has given a very brilliant description of this scene; so also Edersheim, 'Life of Jesus the Messiah.' The money (κέρμα) was probably derived from a word (κείρω) meaning "to cut," and referred to the minute coins which were required for convenient exchange. The κόλλυβος, which gives its name to κολλυβιστής of the following verse, is also the name of a small (κολοβός, equivalent to "mutilated") coin used for purposes of exchange. The smaller the coin the better, as the minute differences of weight of the foreign coins would thus be more easily measured.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple courts
ἱερῷ (hierō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.

He found
εὗρεν (heuren)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

[men]
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

selling
πωλοῦντας (pōlountas)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4453: To sell, exchange, barter. Probably ultimately from pelomai; to barter, i.e. To sell.

cattle,
βόας (boas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1016: An ox, cow, bull. Probably from the base of bosko; an ox, i.e. An animal of that species.

sheep,
πρόβατα (probata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4263: A sheep. Probably neuter of a presumed derivative of probaino; something that walks forward, i.e., a sheep.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

doves,
περιστερὰς (peristeras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4058: A dove, pigeon. Of uncertain derivation; a pigeon.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

money changers
κερματιστὰς (kermatistas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2773: From a derivative of kerma; a handler of coins, i.e. Money-broker.

seated [at their tables].
καθημένους (kathēmenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.


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