King James Version

What Does Matthew 21:12 Mean?

Matthew 21:12 in the King James Version says “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the table... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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,

Matthew 21:12 · KJV


Context

10

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

11

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

12

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,

13

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

14

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple. This dramatic action demonstrates Christ's righteous zeal for God's house and His messianic authority. "Went into the temple" (eisēlthen eis to hieron, εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸ ἱερόν) specifies the temple courts, likely the Court of the Gentiles, the outer area accessible to non-Jews. This was where commercial activity had encroached on space intended for prayer and worship.

"Cast out" (exebalen, ἐξέβαλεν) uses strong language indicating forceful expulsion—the same word used for casting out demons. The merchants "sold and bought" (pōlountas kai agorazontas, πωλοῦντας καὶ ἀγοράζοντας) in the temple precincts, providing sacrificial animals and currency exchange for temple taxes. While these services had legitimate purposes, they had degenerated into exploitative commerce that defiled God's house.

Jesus "overthrew the tables of the moneychangers" and "the seats of them that sold doves," demonstrating that even religious activity conducted wrongly deserves judgment. The poor especially were exploited—doves were the sacrifices of the economically disadvantaged (Leviticus 5:7). This cleansing fulfilled Malachi 3:1-3, showing Messiah's role as both temple purifier and righteous judge. It challenges any use of religion for financial exploitation or any distraction from worship's true purpose.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This temple cleansing occurred during Jesus' final week (approximately AD 30), right after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The second temple, rebuilt after the Babylonian exile and massively expanded by Herod the Great, was one of the ancient world's architectural marvels. The Court of the Gentiles, the largest outer court, was intended as a place where God-fearing Gentiles could pray and worship.

However, the high priestly family (particularly the sons of Annas) had established a lucrative monopoly on temple commerce. Pilgrims needed to purchase approved sacrificial animals and exchange foreign currency into temple coinage for the annual temple tax. While these services had originally been located on the Mount of Olives, authorities had moved them into the temple courts for convenience and profit. Prices were inflated, and the poor were exploited.

Jesus' action directly challenged the high priestly establishment's authority and revenue stream. This, combined with His growing popularity and messianic claims, sealed the religious leaders' determination to eliminate Him. The cleansing also fulfilled Zechariah 14:21, which prophesied a day when there would be no more merchants in the Lord's house. John's Gospel records an earlier temple cleansing at the beginning of Jesus' ministry (John 2:13-17), suggesting this was an ongoing corruption requiring repeated confrontation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has commercialization or exploitation crept into modern church practice?
  2. What does Jesus' zeal for God's house teach about appropriate righteous anger versus sinful anger?
  3. How can we ensure church ministry serves the poor rather than exploiting them?
  4. What activities or attitudes in our churches might Jesus overturn if He visited today?
  5. How do we balance appropriate financial stewardship with avoiding the corruption Jesus condemned?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
καὶ1 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰσῆλθεν2 of 32

went

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

3 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς4 of 32

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἰς5 of 32

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ6 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἱερῷ7 of 32

the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

τοῦ8 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ9 of 32

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ10 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξέβαλεν11 of 32

cast out

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

πάντας12 of 32

all them

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοὺς13 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πωλούντων14 of 32

of them that sold

G4453

to barter (as a pedlar), i.e., to sell

καὶ15 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀγοράζοντας16 of 32

bought

G59

properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem

ἐν17 of 32

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ18 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἱερῷ19 of 32

the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

καὶ20 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰς21 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τραπέζας22 of 32

the tables

G5132

a table or stool (as being four-legged), usually for food (figuratively, a meal); also a counter for money (figuratively, a broker's office for loans

τῶν23 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κολλυβιστῶν24 of 32

of the moneychangers

G2855

a coin-dealer

κατέστρεψεν25 of 32

overthrew

G2690

to turn upside down, i.e., upset

καὶ26 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰς27 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καθέδρας28 of 32

the seats

G2515

a bench (literally or figuratively)

τῶν29 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πωλούντων30 of 32

of them that sold

G4453

to barter (as a pedlar), i.e., to sell

τὰς31 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

περιστεράς32 of 32

doves

G4058

a pigeon


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 21:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 21:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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