Jesus cleanses the temple of merchants (Matthew 21:12–13)
- 1. In the biblical account of Matthew 21:12-13, we find a profound moment where Jesus, upon entering the temple in Jerusalem, is filled with righteous anger at the sight of merchants and money changers conducting their business within the sacred space. This scene unfolds as Jesus approaches the temple and observes the exploitation taking place, where what should be a house of worship has been turned into a bustling marketplace, filled with the clattering of coins and the cries of those selling animals for sacrifices. In a powerful display of authority, Jesus overturns the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves, declaring with fervor that, 'It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of thieves.' His actions not only cleanse the temple of corruption but also challenge the social and religious norms of the day, reaffirming the sanctity of the temple as a place of worship and devotion rather than a venue for profit and commerce. This act symbolizes Jesus' commitment to purifying spiritual practices and returning the focus to genuine faith, as he confronts the corrupt exploitation of the faithful, thereby emphasizing the true intent of worship and the need for a sincere connection with God.
Which types of people did Jesus expel from the temple?
A) Publicans and sinners
B) Sadducees and Pharisees
C) Merchants and money changers
D) Leaders and priests
- 2. What did Jesus call the temple in Matthew 21:13?
A) A fortress
B) A house of prayer
C) A sanctuary
D) A market
- 3. What did Jesus say the merchants had turned the temple into?
A) A place of worship
B) A den of robbers
C) A house of sacrifice
D) A gathering place
- 4. What did Jesus use to drive out the merchants?
A) His hands
B) His words
C) A whip
D) A stick
- 5. What was the main reason for Jesus cleansing the temple?
A) To gather followers
B) To teach the people
C) To gain power
D) To restore its sacred purpose
- 6. After cleansing the temple, what did Jesus do?
A) He healed the blind and lame
B) He returned home
C) He called his disciples
D) He began preaching outside
- 7. Which group benefited from the commercial activities in the temple?
A) Pharisees
B) Worshippers
C) Merchants
D) Romans
- 8. What lesson can be learned from Jesus cleansing the temple?
A) Reverence for sacred spaces
B) Success in business
C) Power dynamics
D) Authority of leaders
- 9. How did Jesus view the merchants' activities?
A) As traditional
B) As corrupt and exploitative
C) As helpful and necessary
D) As justifiable
- 10. What did the money changers do?
A) Gave offerings
B) Counted donations
C) Exchanged currency for temple use
D) Sold sacrifices
- 11. What does the cleansing of the temple signify?
A) A simple act of violence
B) A personal vendetta
C) Jesus' authority over religious practices
D) A political movement
- 12. What does cleansing the temple demonstrate about Jesus’ character?
A) Indifference
B) Righteous anger
C) Fear
D) Weakness
- 13. When is the cleansing of the temple typically remembered?
A) During Holy Week
B) During Advent
C) At Christmas
D) At Pentecost
- 14. Who was expected to be the Messiah that the people awaited?
A) John the Baptist
B) Peter
C) Paul
D) Jesus
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