John Calvin 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)

And Jesus entered into the temple. Though Christ frequently ascended into the temple, and though this abuse continually met his eye, he stretched out his hand to correct it only twice: once at the commencement of his embassy,¹³ and now again when he was near the end of his course.

But even though disgraceful and ungodly confusion reigned throughout, and the temple with its sacrifices was devoted to destruction, Christ reckoned it enough to administer an open reproof of its profanation twice.

Accordingly, when he made himself known as a Teacher and Prophet sent by God, he took upon himself the office of purifying the temple to arouse the Jews and make them more attentive; this first narrative is given by John only in his Gospel (John 2).

But now, towards the end of his course, claiming the same power for himself again, he warns the Jews of the temple’s pollutions and, at the same time, points out that a new restoration is near.

And yet there is no reason to doubt that he declared himself to be both King and High Priest, who presided over the temple and the worship of God. This ought to be observed, lest any private individual think himself entitled to act in the same manner.

Indeed, the zeal by which Christ was animated to do this ought to be shared by all the godly. But lest anyone, under the pretense of imitation, rush forward without authority, we ought to discern what our calling demands and how far we may proceed according to God's commandment.

If the Church of God has contracted any pollutions, all God's children ought to burn with grief. But as God has not put arms into the hands of all, let private individuals groan until God brings the remedy.

I acknowledge that those who are not displeased at the pollution of God's temple are worse than stupid. It is not enough for them to be inwardly distressed if they do not avoid the contagion and testify with their mouth, whenever an opportunity presents itself, that they desire to see a change for the better.

But let those who do not possess public authority oppose with their tongue, which they are free to use, those vices they cannot remedy with their hands.

But it is asked: Since Christ saw the temple filled with gross superstitions, why did he only correct one that was minor, or, at least, more tolerable than others?

I reply: Christ did not intend to restore all the sacred rites to their ancient custom, nor did he select greater or smaller abuses for correction. Instead, he had only this object in view: to show by one visible token that God had committed to him the office of purifying the temple, and, at the same time, to point out that the worship of God had been corrupted by a disgraceful and manifest abuse.

Indeed, pretexts were not lacking for that custom of keeping a market, which relieved the people of trouble so they would not have far to go to find sacrifices, and so they might have at hand the coins they might choose to offer.

Nor was it within the holy place that the money-changers sat, or that animals intended for sacrifice were exposed for sale, but only within the court, to which the designation of the temple is sometimes applied.

But since nothing was more at variance with the majesty of the temple than for a market to be erected there for selling goods, or for bankers to sit there for matters connected with exchange, this profanation was not to be endured.

And Christ inveighed against it all the more sharply because it was well known that this custom had been introduced by the avarice of the priests for the sake of dishonest gain.

For just as one who enters a market well-stocked with various kinds of merchandise, though not intending to make a purchase, still changes his mind because he is attracted by what he sees, so the priests spread nets to obtain offerings, that they might trick every person out of some gain.

¹³ “Quand il commença à exercr son office d’ambassadeur;” — “when he began to discharge his office as ambassador.”;” — “when he began to discharge his office as ambassador.”