Devine Scripture

Matthew 21:12

What does Matthew 21:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 21:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 21:12 means

Jesus entered the Temple and decisively cleansed it, driving out those who commercialized worship. He overturned the tables of the money-changers, who exchanged foreign currency for Temple currency, often with unfair rates, and the seats of those selling doves for sacrifices. This act was a bold assertion of His divine authority over God's house, demonstrating zeal for pure worship where profit had replaced piety.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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 moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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 trading in doves.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and did cast forth all those selling and buying in the temple, and the tables of the money-changers he overturned, and the seats of those selling the doves,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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 chairs of them that sold doves.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus entered into the temple [ofGod], and cast out all that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those that sold the doves.

Context

This verse marks a dramatic shift from Jesus' public acclamation to His authoritative action within the sacred space of the Temple. It immediately follows the crowd's identification of Jesus to the city and directly precedes His verbal denunciation of the Temple's misuse. This act of cleansing establishes Jesus' authority and sets the stage for conflict with the religious leaders.

v.11And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.

v.12This passage

v.13and he saith unto them, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer: but ye make it a den of robbers.

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Exodus 30:13

    This they shall give, every one that passeth over unto them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary; (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel for an offering to Jehovah.

  • Mark 11:11

    And he entered into Jerusalem, into the temple; and when he had looked round about upon all things, it being now eventide, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

  • Luke 19:45

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

  • Leviticus 14:30

    And he shall offer one of the turtle-doves, or of the young pigeons, such as he is able to get,

  • Leviticus 12:6

    And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb a year old for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin-offering, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest:

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