The next day Christ entered the temple. Three years before, He had found men buying and selling in the outer court, and had rebuked them and driven them out. Now as He came again to the temple, He found the same traffic still carried on. The court was filled with cattle, sheep, and birds. These were sold to those who wished to offer sacrifice for their sins. Extortion and robbery were practiced by those engaged in this traffic. So great was the babel of sounds from the court, that it seriously disturbed the worshipers within.

Den næste dag gik Jesus ind i helligdommen. Tre år tidligere fandt han i den ydre forgård dem, der købte og solgte, og han havde irettesat dem og drevet dem ud. Da han nu atter kom ind i helligdommen, så han, at de samme forhold stadig gjorde sig gældende. Forgården var fyldt med kvæg, får og fugle. De blev solgt til dem, der ønskede at bringe et offer for deres synder. De, der drev denne handel, gjorde sig skyldige i pengeafpresning og tyveri. Støjen fra forgården var så forstyrrende, at den alvorligt generede dem, der tilbad inde i templet.