Money-changers were individuals in ancient times who exchanged currency, a practice that was particularly significant in the context of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Their role is most prominently mentioned in the New Testament, where they are depicted in the Gospels as part of the Temple's economic activities.

Historical Context

In the first century, the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was not only a religious center but also a hub of economic activity. Jews from various regions would travel to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and pay the Temple tax, which was required to be paid in a specific currency, the Tyrian shekel, due to its high silver content and consistent weight. This necessitated the services of money-changers, who would exchange foreign coins for the acceptable currency.

Biblical References

The most notable biblical account involving money-changers is found in the Gospels, where Jesus cleanses the Temple. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded: "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 benches of those selling doves" (Matthew 21:12). This act is also described in Mark 11:15, Luke 19:45, and John 2:14-15.

Jesus' actions were a direct challenge to the commercialization of religious practices. By overturning the tables of the money-changers, He condemned the exploitation and corruption that had infiltrated the sacred space of the Temple. His declaration, "It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers'" (Matthew 21:13), underscores His zeal for the purity of worship and the sanctity of the Temple.

Theological Implications

The presence of money-changers in the Temple and Jesus' reaction to them highlight several theological themes. Firstly, it underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity and purity of worship spaces. The Temple was meant to be a place of prayer and communion with God, not a marketplace for profit and exploitation.

Secondly, Jesus' actions serve as a critique of religious leaders who allowed or even facilitated such practices. It reflects a broader biblical theme of justice and righteousness, where God calls His people to uphold integrity and fairness, especially in matters of worship and devotion.

Lastly, the incident with the money-changers is a foreshadowing of the new covenant that Jesus would establish. By cleansing the Temple, He symbolically pointed to the coming transformation of worship, where the focus would shift from physical structures to a spiritual relationship with God through Christ.

Cultural and Economic Role

Money-changers played a crucial role in the economic life of Jerusalem, especially during major festivals like Passover, when pilgrims from various regions would converge on the city. Their services were essential for facilitating the Temple tax and other offerings, which required specific currency. However, their practices often led to exploitation, as they charged fees for their services, sometimes taking advantage of the pilgrims' needs.

Conclusion

The account of the money-changers in the Gospels serves as a powerful reminder of the need for purity in worship and the dangers of commercializing religious practices. It calls believers to reflect on the integrity of their own worship and the ways in which they honor God in their spiritual and economic lives.MONEY-CHANGERS

chan'-jers (kollubistes, from kollubos, "a small coin," so "a money-changer," or "banker" (Matthew 21:12 Mark 11:15; "changers" in John 2:15; compare John 2:14, where kermatistes, "a dealer in small bits," or "change," is also rendered "changers"); compare trapezites, "one who sits at a table," "a money-changer," "a banker" or "broker"; one who both exchanges money for a small fee and pays interest on deposits (Matthew 25:27, the King James Version "exchangers," the American Standard Revised Version "bankers")): The profession of money-changer in Palestine was made necessary by the law requiring every male Israelite who had reached the age of 20 years to pay into the treasury of the sanctuary a half-shekel at every numbering of the people, an offering to Yahweh, not even the poor being exempt. It seems to have become an annual tax, and was to be paid in the regular Jewish half-shekel (Exodus 30:11-15). Since the Jews, coming up to the feasts, would need to exchange the various coins in common circulation for this Jewish piece, there were money-changers who exacted a premium for the exchange. This fee was a kollubos (about 31 cents in U.S. money, i.e. in 1915), hence, the name kollubistes. The Jews of Christ's day came from many parts of the world, and the business of exchanging foreign coins for various purposes became a lucrative one, the exchangers exacting whatever fee they might. Because of their greed and impiety, Jesus drove them from the courts of the temple.

Edward Bagby Pollard

2855a. kollubistes -- a moneychanger
... kollubistes Short Definition: moneychangers. Word Origin from kollubos (a small
coin) Definition a moneychanger NASB Word Usage money changers (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2855a.htm - 5k

2773. kermatistes -- a moneychanger
... changer. Word Origin from a derivation of kerma Definition a moneychanger
NASB Word Usage money changers (1). changer of money. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2773.htm - 6k

Jesus Drives Out the Money-Changers.
... CHAPTER I. JESUS DRIVES OUT THE MONEY-CHANGERS. Cast thyself ... scene. There were
the priests busily engaged with the money-changers. Nathanael ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter i jesus drives out.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... There were not only cattle-dealers and sellers of pigeons, but also money-changers;
for every Jew had to pay to the Temple treasury an annual tax of half a ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

Caution against Imprudent Zeal in Preaching the Gospel.
... An ancient and wide-spread tradition ascribes to Christ the following saying: "ginesthe
trapezitai dokimoi: become approved money-changers.' This expression ...
/.../section 183 caution against imprudent.htm

And when Jesus Entered Jerusalem, He Went up to the Temple of God. ...
... [2184] And when he beheld those that sold and those that bought, and the money-changers
sitting, [2185] he made for himself a scourge of rope, and drove them ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxxii and when jesus.htm

In his Father's House.
... The sellers of sheep, and oxen, and doves, and the money-changers had brought their
things into the great court inside the marble pillars, and on the pavement ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter x in his fathers.htm

Discrepancy of the Gospel Narratives Connected with the Cleansing ...
... And Jesus went into the temple and cast out all them that sold and bought in the
temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/15 discrepancy of the gospel.htm

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
... These money-changers sat at small tables, on which their coins were piled and counted];
16 and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence [As ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxiv jesus attends the first.htm

And First, Can it be Said that Mammmon is Less Served by ...
... ears to tingle, when he told them that they "had made his Father's house a den of
thieves"; because sheep and oxen were sold, and money-changers sitting in the ...
/.../address 167 0 0 and first can.htm

Sermon for Palm Sunday
... 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 money-changers, and the seats ...
/.../xiii sermon for palm sunday.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple - the Sign,' which is not a Sign.
... But what must have appealed to every one in the land was the appearance of the
money-changers' (Shulchanim), who opened their stalls in every country-town on ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the cleansing of.htm

Moneychangers (2 Occurrences)
... feasts, would need to exchange the various coins in common circulation for this
Jewish piece, there were money-changers who exacted ...Moneychangers (2 Occurrences ...
/m/moneychangers.htm - 9k

Money-changers (5 Occurrences)
Money-changers. Moneychangers, Money-changers. Money-grubber . Int. ...
Moneychangers, Money-changers. Money-grubber . Reference Bible.
/m/money-changers.htm - 9k

Banking
... however, are found in operation in the Greek cities; "moneychangers," sitting at ...
The "money-changers" of Matthew 21:12, as the Greek signifies, were men who ...
/b/banking.htm - 13k

Bank (28 Occurrences)
... however, are found in operation in the Greek cities; "moneychangers," sitting at ...
The "money-changers" of Matthew 21:12, as the Greek signifies, were men who ...
/b/bank.htm - 26k

Pigeons (14 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling
there, and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon ...
/p/pigeons.htm - 11k

Selling (23 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling
there, and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon ...
/s/selling.htm - 13k

Overturned (41 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Entering the Temple, Jesus drove out all who were buying and selling
there, and overturned the money-changers' tables and the seats of the pigeon ...
/o/overturned.htm - 18k

Overthrew (17 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the moneychangers' tables and ...
/o/overthrew.htm - 12k

Overturning (14 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the Temple and sent out all who were trading there,
overturning the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those ...
/o/overturning.htm - 10k

Tables (41 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:12 Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who
sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the moneychangers' tables and ...
/t/tables.htm - 20k

Who were the money changers in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why did He cleanse the temple? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the house of prayer had been turned into a den of thieves? | GotQuestions.org

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