Matthew 21:12

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, etc.] At Jerusalem, which was built by his order, and dedicated to his worship, and where the Shechaniah, or the divine presence was. Christ went not to the tower of David, the strong hold of Zion, the palace of his father David; for he entered not as a temporal king; but he went to the house of his heavenly Father, as the lord and proprietor of it, to preach in it, and purge it; whereby the glory of the latter house became greater than that of the former; and so several prophecies had their accomplishment, particularly (<370207>Haggai 2:7,9 <390301>Malachi 3:1) though this was not the first time by many, of Christ’s being in the temple; yet this his…”

“This paragraph contains the account of the barren fig-tree, and of the cleansing of the temple. See also Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48. Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God ... - From Mark 11:11-15, it is probable that this cleansing of the temple did not take place on the day that he entered Jerusalem in triumph, but on the day following. He came and looked round upon all things, Mark says, and went out to Bethany with the twelve. On the day following, returning from Bethany, he saw the fig-tree. Entering into the temple, he purified it “on that day;” or perhaps he “finished” the work of purifying it on that day, which he commenced the day before. Matthew has mentioned the…”

“He cast out all that sold and bought - Doves and oxen for sacrifice. He had cast them out three years before, Joh 2:14; bidding them not make that house a house of merchandise. Upon the repetition of the offence, he used sharper words. In the temple - That is, in the outer court of it, where the Gentiles used to worship. The money changers - The exchangers of foreign money into current coin, which those who came from distant parts might want to offer for the service of the temple. Mar 11:11, Mar 11:15; Luk 19:45. Matthew 21:13”

“21:12-13 The close association of the Temple cleansing (see John 2:13-16) with the cursing of the fig tree (Matt 21:18-19) reveals Jesus as the Messiah who confronted Israel and warned that God judges those who reject the Messiah and his message. 21:12 Buying and selling took place within the Temple complex, in the Court of the Gentiles. • Money changers profited from the exchange of money from other currencies into official Jewish currency. Jesus criticized the commercialism that profaned the holiness of the Temple (see Mark 11:11-18).”

“went: Mal 3:1, Mal 3:2; Mar 11:11 and cast: Mar 11:15; Luk 19:45, Luk 19:46; Joh 2:14-17 moneychangers: Deu 14:24-26 doves: Lev 1:14, Lev 5:7, Lev 5:11, Lev 12:6, Lev 12:8, Lev 14:22, Lev 14:30, Lev 15:14, Lev 15:29; Luk 2:24 Matthew 21:13”