Devine Scripture

John 2:14

What does John 2:14 mean?

A plain-English look at John 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 2:14 means

Upon entering the Temple precincts, Jesus encounters a scene of bustling commerce: vendors selling oxen, sheep, and doves for sacrifices, and money changers. While these services were necessary for pilgrims, their presence within the outer court, the Court of the Gentiles, transformed a place of prayer and worship into a marketplace. This commercial activity directly profaned the sacred space and exploited worshippers, especially foreigners using different currencies, thus setting the stage for Jesus' righteous indignation and intervention.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there in the Temple he saw men trading in oxen and sheep and doves, and he saw the changers of money in their seats:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he found in the temple those selling oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the money-changers sitting,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he found in the temple them that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he found in the temple the sellers of oxen and sheep and doves, and the money-changers sitting;

Context

This verse describes the specific scene Jesus encounters upon entering the Temple, laying the groundwork for His dramatic cleansing. It details the precise activities—selling animals and exchanging money—that provoke His righteous anger. This observation is essential context for understanding the severity of His subsequent actions and the theological implications of His zeal for the sanctity of His Father's house, moving from observation to intervention.

v.13And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

v.14This passage

v.15and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Deuteronomy 14:23

    And thou shalt eat before Jehovah thy God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Jehovah thy God always.

  • Mark 11:15

    And they come to Jerusalem: and he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and them that bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves;

  • Mark 11:17

    And he taught, and said unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? but ye have made it a den of robbers.

  • Matthew 21:12

    And Jesus entered 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 of them that sold the doves;

  • Malachi 3:1

    Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom ye desire, behold, he cometh, saith Jehovah of hosts.

  • Luke 19:45

    And he entered into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold,

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