The Businessman of Jerusalem

About this Video:

Jesus was passing by the temple court and noticed the large number of businessmen taking advantage of the crowds gathering there for worship. They were cheating customers and extorting money from the poor. Angered by what he saw, Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and knocked over the displays of goods being sold by the evil vendors.  

After rebuking these practices which were targeting those coming to worship, Jesus also confronted the temple priests, letting them know their acceptance of these ‘robbers’ in the court was wrong and needed to stop.

One businessman felt convicted by Jesus' response and made the decision to stop gouging and cheating his customers for the items of worship they were hoping to buy. The result is that his business began to thrive and his testimony revealed how Jesus had changed his life that day long ago.  

Questions to Consider:

How do you think the businessmen felt when Jesus turned their tables over and called their business area a den of robbers?

Do you think the religious leaders at the temple approved of the businessmen selling animals in the temple courts?  

For those traveling from far away, purchasing animals for sacrifice at the temple was an important ritual. How do you think they felt about Jesus' criticism of the money changers and thieves?

Background to the story:

This story book combines Mark 11:12-19 and Matthew 21:12-16.  

Matthew’s use of three Old Testament Scriptures (included in this story book) emphasize Isa’s fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

John’s version of Jesus cleansing the temple (John 2:12-25) is not used in this story. Also notice John puts this story in the beginning of his gospel instead of at the end like Matthew and Mark.

References - Mark 11:12-19, Matthew 21:12-16