The temple was full of people. The outer courts was a busy place. This is where they sold sacrifices and exchanged the money that had images of emperors and kings, with the Tyrian type of currency. This was the only kind of coin acceptable in the inner courts of the temple. The businessmen had a good racket going on. The Jews that brought their own sacrifices to the priests were told that they were unacceptable and had to buy new ones. The priests would then resell the unacceptable ones to other people. In order for the Jews to pay their taxes, they forced them to exchange their currency for the Tyrian kind. The money changers would then charge them an unfair exchange rate. They then charged the priests a high rate to exchange them back for the Roman coins.
Suddenly a loud noise disrupted the activity. The people saw this man Jesus begin to overturn the money changers' tables! He knocked over the benches of the people selling doves, and began to yell, "My house is supposed to be a house of prayer...and you are making it into a den of robbers!!" The people looked at one another in amazement. Some began to whisper and move silently away. Others stayed close to Him.
After a time, the blind and lame began to make their way to a now calmer Jesus. He gladly healed them. Some nearby children began to shout, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" The Pharisees who had been keeping a keen eye on this enigma, said to Him, "Did you hear what those children are saying?" Jesus looked at them and replied, "Yes. Haven't you ever read, 'From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise.'?" Jesus was speaking about one of the psalms.
The priests and scribes silently walked away. They had a feeling this man was going to be trouble.
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