A.T. Robertson Commentary 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 he money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves;" — Matthew 21:12 (ASV)

Cast out (εξεβαλεν). Drove out, assumed authority over "the temple of God" (probably correct text with του θεου, though only example of the phrase). John (John 2:14) has a similar incident at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. It is not impossible that he should repeat it at the close after three years with the same abuses in existence again. It is amazing how short a time the work of reformers lasts. The traffic went on in the court of the Gentiles and to a certain extent was necessary. Here the tables of

the money-changers (των κολλυβιστων, from κολλυβος, a small coin) were overturned. See on 17:24 for the need of the change for the temple tax. The doves were the poor man's offering.